Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2001 Season Gets Underway

Baseball Season Gets Underway For CBC
The Pelicans Step Up To The Plate For 2001

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Single-A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, start the beach season for 2001 tonight against the Winston-Salem Warthogs. The game begins at 7:05pm on the Pelicans' home turf, Coastal Federal Field.

The Pelicans took home their 2nd League Championship last season.

With a 25-member roster, players from 12 states and three countries, the Pelicans hope to repeat their Carolina League Mills Cup Championship for a perfect record. The list of six returning players and 19 new faces includes the Braves top Minor League prospect according to Baseball America, shortstop Wilson Betemit. Since the inception of the club in 1999, the team has won the championship ever year. Last year the Pelicans won both halves of the season in its division, giving them a bye in the first round of the tournament.

The coaching staff remains largely the same with Brian Snitker returning for a third year as Manager. Named 2000 Carolina League Manager of the Year, Snitker will be joined by returners pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton and athletic trainer Mike Graus. Tommy Gregg will be the new coach on staff this year.

2001 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Roster
Pitcher	Andrew Bent	Catcher	Jeff Rodriguez
Pitcher	Jung Bong	Infielder	Wilson Betemit
Pitcher	Matt Butler	Infielder	Troy Cameron
Pitcher	Tom Curtiss	Infielder	Nick Green
Pitcher	John Ennis	Infielder	Dave La Roche
Pitcher	Matt Gawar	Infielder	Jaeme Leal
Pitcher	Trey Hodges	Infielder	Louis Martinez
Pitcher	Daniel Kelly	Infielder	Peter Orr
Pitcher	Joe Nelson	Outfielder	Nick Crocker
Pitcher	Michael Smalley	Outfielder	Damien Jones
Pitcher	Derrick Truitt	Outfielder	Ryan Langerhans
Pitcher	Shanin Veronie	Outfielder	Charles Thomas
Catcher	Jean Boscan

Brian Snitker (left) will return as the Pelicans Manager & Bruce Dal Canton (right) will again be their pitching coach.

All players and coaches got together at Liberty Steakhouse & Brewery at Broadway on the Beach last night to meet and greet Pelicans fans. They signed autographs and got to know the faces that will be cheering them on for another great season of minor league baseball.

Opening Stand Schedule of Events:
Fri, Apr 6		Pre-game festivities at 6:30pm Free Magnet Schedules for all fans
Sat, Apr 7		Budweiser Back-2-Back Championship Cap Giveaway to 1st 1,000 fans 21 & over
Sun, Apr 8		Grand Strand Nissan/Rawlings Youth Fielders Glove Giveaway to 1st 1,000 fans 12 & under Rawlings Traveling Caravan Appearance Fantastic Sam's Family Autograph Sunday