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2010 Red, White & Blue Tour
Heroes of the Diamond
OPPONENTS FOR THE 2010 MID SUN GAME

• JUNE 21 - 2:00 PM - Army Hospital at Fort Wainwright Fairbanks  

• JUNE 21 - 4:00 PM -  VFW Fairbanks, Alaska Post TBD

• JUNE 21 - 10:30 PM - 105th Annual Midnight Sun Game
  
   

HEROES OF THE DIAMOND "RED, WHITE AND BLUE TOUR" OPEN TRYOUTS

TERRY "CRASH" ALLVORD - LCDR(RET.) HEROES OF THE DIAMOND

(858)442-0396 redwhitebluetour@aol.com www.heroesofthediamond.com

APPROVED DRAFT FOR ARMED FORCES GLOBAL RELEASE

SAN DIEGO, CA - The Heroes of the Diamond will host the 21st annual Red, White and Blue Tour visiting 45 states and four countries. Armed Forces personnel from all services, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Defense, Homeland Security and First Responders are invited to tryout in an effort to earn an opportunity to represent their service and compete for one of only 25 roster spots on this successful, innovative and only joint baseball team in the world. Preparation for the tour will commence in San Diego this spring and include games against professional teams in California, Arizona, Florida and Mexico.

The "Red, White and Blue Tour" features personnel from every branch of the armed forces and is supported by members of congress and community leaders around the globe. The historic tour delivers patriotic events in celebration of our freedom designed to entertain and honor america. Professionally choreographed events include "passing the flag" - "walk of honor" - "taps" - "national anthem" - "9-11" and other patriotic themes to recognize the sacrifices of local active duty, reserve, first responders and veterans. This unique tour will deliver positive media goodwill and a once in a lifetime patriotic community experience in support of our brave men and women in uniform.

Mission: "To promote the awareness of all Americans in support of the honorable sacrifices our armed forces and first responders make at the tip of the spear" based on the prominent yellow ribbon in the shape of an "s" located "front and center" in the distinctive USA logo worn on full camouflage uniforms that symbolizes "support" for our troops, veterans and first responders.

The historic tour will provide a positive backdrop for international media attention and an opportunity to promote a positive image of our armed forces while building permanent relationships within the host nations.

All active duty, reserve, veteran armed forces, DOD, homeland security and first responders with professional, semi-professional, and collegiate level talent are encouraged to compete for this opportunity. The tour will provide a once in a lifetime experience to personnel with the ability to perform on an international stage.

Operational commitments remain our top priority. Commanding Officers are highly encouraged to support all personnel eligible to participate. Those selected will report under the direction of Heroes of the Diamond Red, White and Blue Tour for spring training preparations, security and host nation briefings. Selected personnel will be required to participate in an intense daily athletic training program while competing against collegiate, professional and other military service and first responders teams. In addition, personnel will attend events that directly support recruiting, charity and host nation community outreach programs.

Only 25 players and three coaches will be selected from thousands of hopefuls worldwide. All personnel must be of high moral character and above reproach on and off the field. Personnel must fully understand their scope of responsibility far exceeds games won or lost on the field. They will shoulder a unique responsibility to represent all who have worn a uniform in defense of our nation, improve relations and increase the cooperation between our armed forces, first responders and host nations.

Tryouts are open to all armed forces personnel. Deployed personnel may walk-on upon return from overseas assignment year-round to earn a spot on the 2010 roster.

Please visit www.heroesofthediamond.com to submit a player/coach package and view the complete open tryouts and tour schedule for 2010.

Congratulations to those selected and good luck!

Request widest possible dissemination.

 

Midnight Sun Game High Resolution Pictures
Ceremony	California Bar	1908 Game	1906 Fairbanks	Midnight

FACTS & FIGURES

• EVENT: 2010 will see the 105th playing of the Midnight Sun Baseball Game (1906-2010).   Though the game is played through the hour of midnight, artificial lights are never used -- and have never been used in the 100+ year history of the event.  Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, and provides nearly continuous light throughout the evening in Fairbanks, which is 150 miles south of the arctic circle.  This phenomenon is very rare, and cannot be experienced in Anchorage.  The light fades towards the middle of the game, but usually returns by the end of the game. 
   

• LOCATION: Growden Memorial Park in Fairbanks, Alaska ; Roughly 3 miles from the airport.  View in Google Earth (Save) ; View in Google Maps
  
  
  
   

• DATE: The game will be started on June 21st.
   

• TIME: The game will begin at 10:30 (usually ends 1:30-2:00 a.m.)
   

• BROADCAST: Live at Goldpanners.com via PannerVision.
   

• HOME TEAM: The Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks are celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2010 (1960-2010)  The Goldpanners have hosted the Midnight Sun Game since 1960.  The Panners have sent nearly 200 players to the majors, including Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield and Barry Bonds.  Before the Goldpanners took over the tradition in 1960, various local and military teams were featured in the contest.
   

• VISITORS: The visiting team will be the Marine U.S. Military All-Star "Heros of the Diamond" as a part of their "Red, White & Blue Tour".  VERY special opponent!
   

• TICKETS: Gates open at 9:00 pm.  Early entry tickets provide 8:00 pm admittance.  Tickets will be available the 1st of March.
   

• LODGING: There are hotels in the area, but they tend to fill up fast.  The Super 8 on Airport is the closest.
   

• AWARDS: Pre-game ceremonies will see special awards presented relating to the 50th anniversary of the club. 
   

• DIGNITARIES: Kenny Alfred, 1972 MSG Winning Pitcher (for Ponchatoula, LA) ; John Capps, participant in 1957 Midnight Sun Game ; Mike Stepovich (perhaps) ; Original 1960 Goldpanner Sherwin Scott ;
   

• SPECIAL EVENTS: The game is stopped at midnight for the singing of the Alaska Flag Song; Anthem and Flag Song to be performed by Shellyann Thibedeau!
   

• HISTORY: The baseball tradition began in 1906 as a bar bet between the Eagle's Club and the California Bar, led by "Father of the Midnight Sun Game" Eddie Stroecker.
   

  • The game is a celebration of the summer solstice, and is a Fairbanks holiday.

  • In 2005, Fairbanks native Sean Timmons became the all-time winningest pitcher in MSG history.  With his save in 2009, his record is now 3 wins, 0 losses, and 1 save.   Immediately after the game in 2005, Sean's No. 33 jersey was shipped to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. ; Sean earned the save in the 2009 Midnight Sun Game.

  • In 2008, Bill "Spaceman" Lee avenged a 1967 loss in the Midnight Sun Game by posting a win against the SoCal Runnings Birds
     

• INTERVIEWS : Personnel are available for interviews -- Schedule a time beforehand for best results.  Our office number is (907) 451-0095.  Todd Dennis cell 907-750-0099  Please remember that we are on Alaska Standard Time, which is an hour earlier than the Pacific Time Zone.

PICTURES / CONTENT
HI-Resolution Pictures

• Pictures of previous MSGs are available.

• We do not send originals via mail.

• We do send digital files of photographs via email or mail.

• Please inform us at to what FORMAT (.psd, .jpg, .bmp) you would like the file to be, as well as the RESOLUTION (72/300/400) of the picture, and the MODE (RGB, CMYK, etc.)

• Pictures from the website may only be used with permission!  All Rights Reserved.

• Please give picture credits to Goldpanners.com

GOLDPANNERS' MIDNIGHT SUN GAME HISTORY IN PICTURES

"FAIRBANKS REBUILDS SPIRIT"
BY TODD DENNIS

Alaska's Flag
Written by Marie Drake
Composed by Elinor Dusenbury

Eight stars of gold on a field of blue -
Alaska's flag. May it mean to you
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes, and the flow'rs nearby;
The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams;
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The "Bear" - the "Dipper" - and, shining high,
The great North Star with its steady light,
Over land and sea a beacon bright.
Alaska's flag - to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.

(Copyright © 1985, University of Alaska Foundation, All rights Reserved )