(from press release)

SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The Arias & Goodman Academy, one of the premiere baseball development programs in the Dominican Republic, has launched a pilot project to provide education for its prospects.

“Make no mistake about it,” said Gary Goodman in announcing the program. “We are in the business of preparing young Dominicans for careers in baseball; to help talented young men achieve their dreams. But there is also a social side that must be addressed.  Reality is that most of these kids will not succeed in baseball and we owe it to them to make sure they are prepared for life after baseball.”

The educational program was designed by the Dominican Republic Sports & Education Academy (DRSEA), whose mission is to educate young athletes in the Dominican Republic, help develop their baseball skills, and give them the tools to success in life on and off the field.

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(from press release)

After finishing his distinguished 25-year career as the Atlanta Braves manager, Bobby Cox retired last season with 2,686 wins.

But before he settles into his much-deserved retirement, Cox will christen the Gwinnett Braves’ 2011 home season by throwing out his first-ever ceremonial first pitch on Opening Night — Thursday, April 7th at 7:05 PM vs the Durham Bulls.

G-Braves General Manager North Johnson says:

“We are honored to have Bobby Cox represent our team on Opening Night. It will be exciting to see the baseball legend take the field instead of his usual post in the dugout. Our fans will get a real treat to come out and witness Bobby’s first pitch as well as all of the other great things we have planned for Opening Night and the 2011 season!”

Fans can purchase tickets in person at the Coolray Field Box Office, over the phone at 678-277-0340, or online at www.GwinnettBraves.com.

(from press release)

Livability.com has released its Top 10 Minor League Baseball Stadiums featuring some of the best places for fans to take themselves out to the ballgame.  The city-ranking website searched the country to find ballparks that are full of charm and magnetism, making them worth a visit for baseball enthusiasts and curiosity seekers alike.

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(from press release)

Washington, DC, whose hometown Nationals have finished in last place in all but one year since relocating from Montreal in 2005, is the unhappiest pro baseball city, according to analysis by Avvo. Baltimore, located about 40 miles north of the nation’s capital and home to the Orioles, who last won a World Series in 1983, is the third most depressed baseball city, with Oakland (Athletics) sandwiched between.

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(from press release)

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. –The song has become a baseball anthem. The artist is a legendary performer. Now, the guitar that has given life to John Fogerty’s classic song “Centerfield” has landed in Cooperstown, New York, and is now on exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Following Sunday’s Induction Ceremony at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Fogerty’s bat-shaped guitar “Slugger” was put on exhibit for a limited run at the Hall of Fame through an artifact loan from Fogerty. The event capped a weekend where Fogerty performed “Centerfield” live at the start of Sunday’s Induction Ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, enriching the decades-old Hall of Fame tradition of the playing “Centerfield” at the beginning of the Induction Ceremony. “Slugger” is joined in the exhibit case by three versions of original lyrics to the song written by Fogerty, a CD and a record of the original release.

In tribute to his love of baseball and in response to the popularity of “Centerfield” – Fogerty’s 1985 comeback album that featured the nostalgic title track of the same name – Fogerty commissioned guitar craftsman Philip Kubicki to create a custom guitar he called “Slugger.” Since then, Fogerty has regularly used the special guitar when playing “Centerfield” – and did so again at Sunday’s Induction Ceremony. Fogerty wrote all the songs and played every instrument on “Centerfield,” which has sold more than two million copies. Though damaged by the Nashville floods this spring, “Slugger” was renovated in time to be used by John for Sunday’s performance before going on display in the Museum.

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