Rangers, Chanticleers Put On Quite a Show

An overflow crowd of nearly 6,600 fans packed BB&T Coastal Field Tuesday night to bear witness to a Myrtle Beach first: a baseball game featuring a Major League Baseball club.

But this wasn't just any club playing the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. The 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers visited the Grand Strand as part of the team's formal introduction to the area.

Last fall, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans signed a four-year affiliation agreement with the Rangers, signaling the beginning of a new era of Grand Strand professional baseball following a longtime run with the Pelicans' former parent club, the Atlanta Braves. Shortly after, the Rangers agreed to finish its 2011 spring exhibition season with an appearance in Myrtle Beach - much to the delight of local baseball fans, who gobbled up the reserved tickets within hours of going on sale.

Last night, those fans' winter-long wait was finally over, and the Rangers and Chanticleers proceeded to put on quite a show.

Photo Gallery

All-Star Josh Hamilton during pre-game warmups.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Michael Young signing autographs.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Josh Hamiltion and Rangers Manager Ron Washington mingle with the crowd.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Ian Kinsler is greeted by teammates during pre-game introductions.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Josh Hamilton is greeted by teammates during pre-game introductions.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Former Pelican Elvis Andrus is greeted by teammates during pre-game introductions.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Josh HamiltonPhoto Credit: Jim Maggio

Manager Ron Washington greets Michael Young during pre-game introductions.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Teams line up for the color guard and National Anthem.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

CCU Coach Gary Gilmore and Rangers Manager Ron Washington go over ground rules with the umpires.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Elvis Andrus (l) and Adrian Beltre during pre-game warmups.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

First pitch!Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando fires a pitch.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

CCU delivers its first pitch to the Rangers.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Josh Hamilton takes his hacks in first-inning action.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

CCU Catcher Tucker Frawley and Rangers First Baseman Michael Young.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

These young fans compete in the "Pretzel Toss" in an eighth-inning break.Photo Credit: Jim Maggio

Rangers pitcher Alexi OgandoPhoto Credit: Jim Maggio

One-time Pelican Elvis Andrus, now an All-Star shortstop for the Rangers, was greeted with big cheers upon his homecoming. But the unquestioned star of the afternoon and evening festivities was 2010 American League Most Valuable Player Josh Hamilton.

Hamilton gave the locals a first-hand glimpse of the awesome power he possesses with his home-run swing, blasting one pre-game batting practice pitch after the next far into the woods beyond the right-center field fence. When he wasn't occupied with his pre-game warmup routine, Hamilton took plenty of time to sign autographs for the fans and chat with Chanticleer opponents eager to hear some words of wisdom from the All-Star outfielder.

The Rangers-CCU tilt was also a prelude to opening night for the Pelicans, which takes place Friday, April 8 at BB&T Coastal Field, where the Pelicans host the Wilmington Blue Rocks in a 7:05 p.m. tilt. Tickets are still available; visit MyrtleBeachPelicans.com for more information.

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