HOLYOKE BLUE SOX TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY, January 26th 2011

On Wednesday, January 26th, 2011, the Holyoke Blue Sox will be holding a press conference at 10:30 a.m. at the Blue Sox Headquarters in the Open Sq. complex Suite 203 in Holyoke Ma. 413-652-9014

Blue Sox Chief Operating Officer Barry Wadsworth will start off the press conference by introducing Kirk Fredriksson as the new General Manager of the Holyoke Blue Sox for the upcoming 2011 season. This will be the 15th season that Fredriksson has been at the helm of a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

Kirk served as the general manager of the Torrington Twisters for 12 seasons before moving to the New Bedford Bay Sox in 2008 where Fredriksson spent the past two years, and is now taking over the general managing duties for the Blue Sox.

“I’ve known Barry for years and Holyoke head coach Darryl Morhadt has been a friend of mine for 30 years” Fredriksson said, I’m very close to the organization, and I have helped them a lot in other capacities for the last four years . Barry’s tried to get me to come onboard for a while, so I decided this year would be a good time to do that”, “I love the NECBL, and I love the league.”

Fredriksson has done quick work as the general manager already inking Team USA to a game with the Holyoke Blue Sox in late June. America’s best crop of young talent will be on showcase in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on June 25. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. at MacKenzie Stadium, Holyoke, MA. This will be Team USA’s third stop in a seven game road trip.

This marks the 11th season that Team USA has done this tour around the NECBL, the tour began in 2000. General Manager of Team USA Eric Campbell will be present at the press conference to officially announce the 2011 tour.

“It’s this level of competition, Fredriksson said, the NECBL serves as a great stage for Team USA to get ready for their season”. “It’s considered to be one of the premier summer collegiate leagues in the country,” he said. “The venues are good, the teams are good. It’s one of those things they know what to expect when they come to the NECBL, they’re expecting good teams, good venues, great competition, and there’s no surprises that way.”

Along with Team USA coming to town on the 25th of June, there will also be a fundraising luncheon on the same day to help support the Blue Sox Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in April for the luncheon, the location and time will be announced at a later date. If some fans cannot make it to the luncheon they will have another great opportunity to meet the players of Team USA, and the hometown Blue Sox as there will be an autograph session before and after the game on the 25th.

“These players are sleeping at our Hotels, having lunch in our restaurants,” Wadsworth said. “They’re spending some time here; they’re getting to know a little bit about Holyoke, and the people around Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley. That’s exactly what the Blue Sox try to do. It’s not always just about the baseball, It’s about getting the Pioneer Valley community involved and provide the opportunity to meet these young scholar athletes, who have a good chance someday to be playing in the Major leagues. “That’s what excites me.” Wadsworth said.

When the “Blue Sox Educational Tour” kicks off in the middle of May, there will be a different look to it as well, the Blue Sox have been donated a brand new vehicle for the tour. Gary Rome Hyundai has donated a brand new completely wrapped van for the Blue Sox Educational tour this season. The vehicle will be unveiled at the press conference as well.

The Blue Sox Educational tour consists of players traveling to Pioneer Valley schools talking to the kids about the importance of staying in school, being good role models in their communities and the value of education as a whole. At each school event the kids will be given tickets to a Blue Sox baseball game compliment of Gary Rome as well.

Other guests at the press conference on Wednesday will include, Barry’s Sister CEO of the Holyoke Blue Sox Karen Rella, Honorable, Elaine A. Pulta, Mayor of Holyoke, Doris Ransford President of Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and Gary Rome of Gary Rome Hyundai.