May 2010 The Shoreline Page 17
Morehead City Marlins Give National Pastime a Home
By Christopher Marmo
The crack of a bat and the roar of the crowd. The
taste of a hotdog or hamburger fresh off the grill.
The unforgettable smell of leather and fresh cut
grass in the summer breeze. These sounds, sights,
tastes, and smells have followed me throughout my
life. The game of baseball has changed many lives
during its existence, and I consider myself lucky to
have fully embraced it. Baseball is my way of life and
has allowed me to develop close relationships with
many others, some of whom I might not have known
otherwise. This year, the game of baseball has led me
to Morehead City.
I was not responsible for bringing baseball to
Morehead City nor have I been actively advocating the
use of O'Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium for summer
collegiate ball during the past two years. But I wish I
had. Riverfront Sports and Entertainment, owned and
operated by the New Bern based Bengel family, are the
ones who deserve high praise for bringing the game
of baseball to the Crystal Coast. I was lucky enough
to be in the right place at the right time. Recently, I
became the General Manager of the Morehead City
Marlins Baseball Club and I firmly believe that the
"national pastime" has a chance to impact Morehead
City and its surrounding communities as positively
as it has me.
The Morehead City Marlins are the newest member
of the Coastal Plain League (CPL)—the nation's
hottest collegiate baseball league. Now celebrating
its 14* season, the Coastal Plain League features 15
teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and
Virginia.
The CPL gives amateur collegiate players the chance
to refine their skills with hopes of one day playing
professional baseball. This competitive environment
is closely monitored by major league scouts hoping
Noteworthy: May is Mexican-American Heritage
month and the local libraries will have displays
featuring Mexican-American culture.
The warmer weather provides the ideal opportunity
to check out a book and sit at the outdoor picnic table
provided by Friends of Bogue Banks Public Library.
It's a setting conducive to reading stories to your
children or simply relaxing in a quiet retreat.
Bogue Banks Public Library has added to its Large
Print collection. Please check out Blue-Eyed Devil by
Robert B. Parker, Storm Prey by John Sanford and
Return to Sender by Fern Michaels.
Activities for Children: Preschool Storytime is
held at 10 a.m., featuring on Wednesday, May 5 and
Thursday, May 6 "Happy Mother's Day!" Thursday
May 13 will be "Children's Book Week." Wednesday,
May 19 and Thursday May 20 it's "Makes Sense."
to imcover the next Alex Rodriquez or Albert Pujols.
During the CPL's 14-year existence, there have
been a number of college athletes who have played
professional baseball. In the last two years alone,
219 current and former CPL players have had the
opportunity to hear their name called during the
Major League Baseball's yearly amateur draft—some
of the more recognizable CPL alumni include Justin
Verlander (Detroit Tigers), Ryan Zimmerman
(Washington Nationals), Kevin Youkilis (Boston Red
Sox), Mark Reynolds (Arizona Diamondbacks), and
Ty Wigginton (Baltimore Orioles), among others.
Ultimately, we like to say we are showcasing the
stars of tomorrow.
All players will be staying with host families for the
duration of the season. During a player's summer-
league experience, most are in a very different
atmosphere by being away from their family and
friends. Host families play an important role in
each player's summer experience by providing a
comfortable setting. We encourage host families
to help their player(s) become situated with their
new environment. This is also a great opportunity
for surrounding communities to help further the
development of these college athletes as baseball
players and as people. The overall experience
throughout the league has been an enriching endeavor
for all families involved.
As a veteran of the Coastal Plain League, I have had
the opportimity to work collaboratively with two
North Carolina communities to continue the summer
collegiate baseball experience. These communities
have been positively impacted by amateur baseball
for 24 combined years (not including minor league
affiliated years). However, building a baseball
franchise from the ground up is something new and
@ the Library
Thursday, May 27 is "Just Ducky!" Preschool
Storytime is for ages 3-5 years old. Programs are
with Ms. Brita.
Featured Artwork: The featured artist at the Art
Gallery of the Bogue Banks Public Library is Emerald Isle
resident, Kevin Geraghty. He is an amateur photographer
who learned his love for sea turtles as a volunteer for
the Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Protection Program and
also at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. He
is retired from GlaxoSmithKline and splits his time
between Emerald Isle and Raleigh.
Kevin hopes that beach visitors will take home a
new appreciation of these beautiful creatures that are
threatened on our shores. They need all the help we
can give them. Kevin's photos are available at: www.
keving.smugmug.com.
Beaufort resident Sandra Malone will display her
exciting for me. I believe the possibilities are endless in
Carteret County, and the Morehead City Marlins have
every intention of providing a family-fun atmosphere
for many years to come.
The Marlins are thrilled to play at O'Neal Field at Big
Rock Stadium this coming summer. The stadium is a
community-entertainment venue that will provide an
affordable family-fun atmosphere for locals, second
home owners, and vacationing families year-round.
We foresee the ballpark being used for other events
such as legion games, off-season college baseball
tournaments, youth baseball games, corporate outings,
and concerts. With the community's continued
support, this venue has the opportunity to provide
an economic boost to Carteret County, further adding
additional attraction to the Crystal Coast.
Every successful organization has started with
enormous community support. The Morehead City
Marlins are currently in the process of acquiring local
business support for the upcoming season and beyond.
If there is an interest in supporting the Morehead City
Marlins this upcoming season, please call our office
at 269-9767. In addition to partnership opportunities,
another way to show your support is through the
purchase of season tickets. We are now accepting
single game and season ticket requests for the season.
All ticket plans can be viewed and purchased now at
our website: www.mhcmarlins.com.
The Marlins can now call O'Neal Field at Big Rock
Stadium home. It is time for all of Carteret County to
show pride and to support its very own baseball team.
Jacques Barzun, a great historian once said, "Whoever
wants to know the heart and mind of America had
better learn baseball, the rules, and the realities of the
game." We hope to see everyone at the ballpark this
summer. Play ball!
pine needle baskets in the showcases. Sandi has been
involved with pottery, needlework and woodwork
for many years. After retiring to Beaufort, she became
interested in pine needle baskets. She combines pine
needles with gourds, ceramic bases, wooden slabs,
driftwood and stone slabs into award-winning works
of art.
She is currently exhibiting at Diamond Shoal
Jewelers, Floyd's Restaurant, The History Place and
at the Bellamy Mansion in Wilmington. Sandi has also
been juried into the Carteret County Arts and Crafts
Coalition.
Please plan to join our gallery artists at the public
reception on Friday, May 14 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Art
Gallery.