USA OLYMPIC BASEBALL TEAM STOPS IN CARY FOR PRACTICE, EXHIBITION GAME ON THE WAY TO BEIJING

CARY, NC – Area baseball fans are invited to come out to the USA Baseball National Training Complex at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary on July 31 from 2:15-4:15 p.m. to watch the 2008 US Olympic Baseball Team get ready for its four pre-Olympic games against Team Canada this weekend. The practice is free and open to the public.

On Aug. 1, Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht will throw the ceremonial first pitch as the USA Baseball team takes the field at the National Training Complex for Game 1. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7:05 p.m. As an added treat for Cary fans, there will be fireworks following the game. This game marks the first time the Olympic Team will play together as a team, and is the first of four exhibition games scheduled in the Triangle against Canada prior to their going to the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Tickets are $50 for behind the plate section 103; $20 for sections 102 and 104; $10 for sections 100, 101, 105 and 106; and $10 for general admission seating, which are the grass hills and standing-room-only sections. Purchase tickets in advance on-line at www.usabaseball.com or by calling (919) 956-2855. A seating chart of the National Training Complex is also available at www.usabaseball.com.

"There's no doubt in our mind that the preparation and support our Olympic Team will get while training here in the Triangle-area will prepare us for the stiff competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games," said Paul Seiler, Executive Director/CEO of USA Baseball. "We are thrilled to be able to share our excitement for the upcoming Games with residents of the Triangle.”

The USA Baseball team will play its remaining three games prior to its departure to Beijing at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, N.C., on Aug. 2-4. USA Baseball last competed in the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 where it took home the gold medal.

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