FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
May 14, 2009 815-774-2881

JACKHAMMERS FINISH PRE-SEASON WITH A 5-2 RECORD

Plenty of Fun Expected for Opening Night on Friday!

JOLIET, IL-The Joliet JackHammers finished their spring training season in O’Fallon, MO against the River City Rascals with a 4-2 loss in a seven-inning game on Thursday morning. Former Cubs top pick Grant Johnson (2004 out of Notre Dame) started the game and pitched four scoreless innings for the JackHammers. He allowed six hits and struck out five men.

The JackHammers took the early 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI sacrifice fly by 3B Andrew Pinckney. In the fifth inning, Wally Backman, Jr. hit a one-out, pinch-hit triple. Joey Gomes lifted a sacrifice fly score Backman, Jr. and give the JackHammers a 2-0 advantage.

The JackHammers begin their eighth season in the Northern League on Friday night with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Schaumburg Flyers at Silver Cross Field in Joliet City Center. The gates open at 6:05 p.m. but the fun starts early in the afternoon!

Jammer will appear at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new addition to the Salvation Army’s Joliet and Will County Corps Community Center on 300 Third Avenue in Joliet. The fun starts at 4:15 with Jammer meeting fans and signing autographs. The official celebration begins at 4:30 p.m

The JackHammers Official Radio Station, 1340 WJOL, will also be hosting a special “live remote” beginning at 4:00 p.m. at McBrody’s Bar and Grill on 73 W. Jefferson Street in Joliet. The show features appearances by JackHammers Executive Vice President/General Manager Kelly Sufka, Field Manager Wally Backman and Radio Broadcaster Jon Versteeg and lasts from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Friday, Saturday (7:05 p.m.) and Sunday (5:05 p.m. start) will receive a FREE 2009 JackHammers magnet schedule sponsored by JULIE, Inc. The JackHammers will host fireworks after the game on Friday and Saturday. After Sunday’s game, the JackHammers will sign autographs on the field.

The JackHammers currently have full season seats, mini-plan packages, various group outings, affordable marketing opportunities and individual game tickets available for the 2009 season. To invest, or for more information, please contact them TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), visit their website (www.jackhammerbaseball.com) or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.

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