Bridgewater, N.J., June 13, 2008) - The Three-Time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots have announced that Patriots manager Sparky Lyle and Long Island Ducks manager Dave LaPoint have been named the managers for the 2008 Atlantic League All-Star Game to be played at Commerce Bank Ballpark on Wednesday, July 16th.
LaPoint will manage the Liberty Division team for his second All-Star managing appearance. LaPoint, who spent 2002-2005 as Long Island's pitching coach, is now in his second season as Ducks manager. LaPoint led the Ducks to an overall record of 72-54 in 2007, winning the second half North Division championship and taking the Ducks to their fourth consecutive Atlantic League playoff berth. In 2006, he managed the Bridgeport Bluefish to a league-best 75-49 record and a berth in the league championship series.
"I'm honored and excited to manage the Liberty Division squad at this year's All-Star Game," said LaPoint. "The talent in the league this season is better than it's ever been before, and I'm looking forward to a great game July 16 to kick off a terrific second half of the season."Lyle will manage the Freedom Division team for his third All-Star Game appearance as manager. Lyle is the winningest manager in Atlantic League history with over 700 wins going into the 2008 All-Star Break. He has won three Atlantic League Championships (2001, 2003, & 2005), six Division Titles (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007), and has been named the Atlantic League Manager of the Year twice (1999 & 2003). He is the only Atlantic League Manager to be with the same team since the league began play in 1998.
“It’s always an honor to be selected as an All-Star, whether as a player or manager. We’re going to have a lot of fun hosting the game at our ballpark. We’ll show Atlantic League fans a time they will never forget. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Lyle.
Tickets for the 2008 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by Commerce Bank are now on sale at the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com.
All-Star on-line voting is now taking place through Thursday, July 3rd. Fans can vote for their All-Star selections by visiting http://www.somersetpatriots.com/ or any of the Atlantic League teams’ websites.
The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For more information, visit http://www.liducks.com/ or call (631) 940-3825.
LaPoint will manage the Liberty Division team for his second All-Star managing appearance. LaPoint, who spent 2002-2005 as Long Island's pitching coach, is now in his second season as Ducks manager. LaPoint led the Ducks to an overall record of 72-54 in 2007, winning the second half North Division championship and taking the Ducks to their fourth consecutive Atlantic League playoff berth. In 2006, he managed the Bridgeport Bluefish to a league-best 75-49 record and a berth in the league championship series.
"I'm honored and excited to manage the Liberty Division squad at this year's All-Star Game," said LaPoint. "The talent in the league this season is better than it's ever been before, and I'm looking forward to a great game July 16 to kick off a terrific second half of the season."Lyle will manage the Freedom Division team for his third All-Star Game appearance as manager. Lyle is the winningest manager in Atlantic League history with over 700 wins going into the 2008 All-Star Break. He has won three Atlantic League Championships (2001, 2003, & 2005), six Division Titles (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007), and has been named the Atlantic League Manager of the Year twice (1999 & 2003). He is the only Atlantic League Manager to be with the same team since the league began play in 1998.
“It’s always an honor to be selected as an All-Star, whether as a player or manager. We’re going to have a lot of fun hosting the game at our ballpark. We’ll show Atlantic League fans a time they will never forget. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Lyle.
Tickets for the 2008 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by Commerce Bank are now on sale at the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com.
All-Star on-line voting is now taking place through Thursday, July 3rd. Fans can vote for their All-Star selections by visiting http://www.somersetpatriots.com/ or any of the Atlantic League teams’ websites.
The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For more information, visit http://www.liducks.com/ or call (631) 940-3825.
