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Published On: April 24th, 2015

Home Opener and all single game tickets to go on-sale Monday morning April 27th

WILLMAR, MN – The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League are excited to announce that former Minnesota Twin Jacque Jones will be this year’s opening night guest. Jones will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the 2015 Home Opener presented by Marcus Construction at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, May 28th at Bill Taunton Stadium against the Thunder Bay Border Cats.

Fans will be able to meet Jacque Jones, take photos and get his autograph when gates open at 6 p.m. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a 2015 magnet schedule and all will be treated to a post-game fireworks show!

This season marks the sixth opening night in franchise history of the Stingers. Others who have thrown out the first pitch have been; Hall of Famer and current Twins Manager Paul Molitor, Cy Young award winner Bret Saberhagen, Two-time World Series Champion Greg Gagne and “Every Day” Eddie Guardado.

“Being able to bring in former major league players to Willmar is something I look forward to each year,” Stingers General Manager Nick McCallum said. “It’s a unique experience for fans to be able to interact with these guys and share their memories of watching them play.”

This year’s guest brings back a lot good memories for Twins fans as Jones helped the organization make the playoffs each year from 2002-2004. In his seven seasons with the Twins, Jones had a .279 batting average, 132 home runs, and 476 RBI.

Jones eventually ended up playing his last game in a Twins uniform in 2005. Following that season, Jones signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs, where he played for two seasons 2006 and 2007. With the Cubs, Jones had a .285 batting average and 147 RBI. In 2008, Jones’ last in the majors, spent time with the Detroit Tigers and Florida Marlins.

Jones finished his career with the Minnesota Twins in 2010 after signing a minor league contract. He spent that season with the AAA Rochester Red Wings compiling over 300 at-bats with a .280 batting average and 24 doubles. 

He is originally from San Diego, CA where he played college baseball for the University of Southern California from 1994-1996. At USC, he was a First-Team All-American outfielder in 1994. Jones was first drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1993 out of high school, but elected to not sign, and enrolled into USC that fall.  He eventually got drafted again after his junior year by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd Round of the Major League Draft.  He spent seven of his 10 years in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins.

Single game tickets for the 2015 season will be available for sale beginning at 10 am on Monday, April 27th. Tickets can be purchased online via www.willmarstingers.com, by calling 320-222-2010, or visiting the Stingers ticket office located at Bill Taunton Stadium from 10 am – 5 pm. 

Field Manager Drew Saberhagen, as well as the Stingers organization will continue to build the roster for the 2015 season. Season tickets for the 2015 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this press release please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.

The 2015 season is presented by Marcus Construction. From start to finish Marcus Construction will make your job easier and build a facility you will be proud of.

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The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com.