Posted on Nov 17, 2010 - 11:02 AM

BB&T Coastal Field to Host A.L. Champs for March Exhibition Game

The first game in the history of Myrtle Beach to include a Major League Baseball team took on a significant local flavor with the announcement Tuesday that the reigning American League Champion Texas Rangers will oppose Coastal Carolina University in an exhibition scheduled for Tuesday, March 29th at BB&T Coastal Field.

Coming off the franchise's first World Series appearance, the Rangers will wind down their 2011 spring training schedule with a trip to the home city of their new Class A-Advanced affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For the Chanticleers, this game will represent a return to the site of the 2010 NCAA Baseball Championship Regional & Super Regional that CCU hosted last June.

Fans can purchase individual tickets for the 6:35 p.m. game on March 29th at the Pelicans ticket office, online at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com and by phone (843-918-6000). Tickets are priced at $22 for Field Box, $18 for Reserved Box/Grand Strand Reserved and $14 for Budweiser Thirst Inning Deck seats.

"Both the Rangers and Coastal Carolina ballclubs energized their fan bases with incredible seasons in 2010," said Rangers Managing Partner and CEO Chuck Greenberg, who also serves as the Pelicans Managing Partner. "As we forge a new partnership between Texas and the Grand Strand community through the affiliation with the Pelicans, this match-up will provide an ideal stage to showcase both teams."

Former Pelicans shortstop Elvis Andrus (2007) will headline the full Rangers squad including Josh Hamilton, Neftali Feliz and Michael Young as the team breaks camp in Arizona to make a cross-country journey to celebrate the team's new Player Development Contract with Myrtle Beach. The following day, Texas will shuttle back to the Lone Star State for its final exhibition game against their Triple-A team in Round Rock before opening the 2011 regular season at home on April 1st.

"Myrtle Beach was one of my best minor league experiences," remarked Andrus from Venezuela. "They have great fans who are very knowledgeable and passionate about baseball and are very supportive. The city is amazing with lots to do and is one of the greatest places to play in the minor leagues. I'm looking forward to returning in March."

Coastal Carolina led the nation in winning percentage (.846) and wins (55) in 2010. The Chants return 17 lettermen from last year's Big South Championship squad and will be in the midst of its regular season when the Rangers visit the home of the Pelicans. CCU will have already played some early season tournament games at BB&T Coastal Field prior to the game against the Rangers.

"First and foremost I have to thank (Texas Rangers owner) Mr. Chuck Greenberg as well as the entire Texas Rangers organization, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the City of Myrtle Beach for this incredible opportunity," explained CCU's Head Baseball Coach Gary Gilmore. "We are humbled by this chance to live out a dream every one of us have had, which is to compete against the best of the best and see what it is like to play against major leaguers."

The exhibition game involving the Myrtle Beach's parent club will prime the ballpark for the start of the Pelicans 13th season here at the Beach. The Pelicans new crop of Texas-supplied players will open the 2011 Carolina League season on Friday night, April 8th at 7:05 p.m. against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. In addition to the exhibition game tickets, fans can buy Pelicans Season Tickets, Mini-Plans and Flex Books. The team's Box Office will be open from Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of scheduled holiday closings around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.