BEARS SIGN PITCHER JOE RODRIGUEZ

NEWARK, NJ – August 3, 2007 – The First Half North Division Champion Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club announced they have signed left-handed pitcher Joe Rodriguez to a contract for the 2007 season. The former Major League pitcher will be in uniform this evening as the Bears begin a three-game series with the Somerset Patriots at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. First pitch is 7:05 PM.

Rodriguez, who began the 2007 season in Taiwan, was originally drafted in the 24^th round of the 1997 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, and is pitching in his tenth professional season. In 2000, the Puerto Rico native made his big league debut with the Cardinals appearing in six games striking out two batters in four relief innings allowing no earned runs.

A veteran of over 300 professional games, including 12 at the major league level with the Cardinals and Minnesota Twins, Rodriguez set a career high when he struck out 54 batters in 60.2 innings pitched in 2001 with Memphis of the Pacific Coast League. In 2000, he set a career high with 56 games pitched while playing for Arkansas of the Texas League, Memphis, and the Cardinals.

Tickets for the Newark Bears can be purchased by contacting the Bear box office at 1-866-55-4BEAR or by visiting the team’s website at www.newarkbears.com.

###

Joe Montefusco

Media Relations Manager

Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club

450 Broad St.

Newark, NJ 07102

Phone: 973-848-1000 ext. 112

Fax: 973-621-0095

jmontefusco@newarkbears.com

2007 North Division 1st Half Champions