ST. CLOUD, MN – The World Junior Exhibition Series featuring the national 18 year old and under teams from the United States, Canada and Taiwan are coming to Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud, Minn. on July 19 and 20 according to St. Cloud River Bats managing partner, Joel Sutherland. A fourth team consisting of “Area Select All-Stars” will also play in this exhibition series.
Over the years, the Team USA roster has included a number of current major league players, many names familiar to Minnesota baseball fans. Specifically, Michael Cuddyer, J.J. Hardy, Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Denard Span and Delmon Young all played for Team USA. To add to the list of stars Justin Morneau played for Team Canada.
“History proves there will be a number of future major league ballplayers at Joe Faber Field on July 19th and 20,” Sutherland said. “It’s going to be exciting and memorable to see the nations’ best 18 years olds playing here in St. Cloud on those dates.”
Who will be playing for Team USA will be unknown until the selection process is concluded on the fourth of July, according to Rick Riccobono, Director of the 18U National Team.
St. Cloud State University Head Baseball Coach, Pat Dolan will be spear-heading the effort to put together a team of Area All-Stars to play in this event. “The effort to put a solid team on the field begins today,” Dolan said. “This event is certainly going to create some great memories for people in central Minnesota.”
The schedule will feature two double-headers on July 19 and 20. Game one will have the “Area Selects” take on Team Canada at 4:30 followed by Team Taiwan vs. Team USA at 7:30. On the 20th the “Area Selects” will play Team Taiwan followed by Team Canada and Team USA at 7:30
Tickets for the event, which will be hosted by Coborn’s, Bernicks and Luther White Bear Subaru, will go on sale to the general public at noon on Monday, June 14. River Bats season ticket holders will have an option to purchase tickets prior to going on sale.
“This is a nice perk to reward our season ticket holders with,” Sutherland said. “We hope many of them will take advantage of it.”
Ticket prices will be $8.00 for the general admission section, $14.00 for reserved seating, $18.00 for box seating and sports deck tickets will be $24.00. Tickets can be purchase on-line at riverbats.com or at the River Bats Ticket Office located in the Municipal Athletic Complex.
