HUNTINGTON Ƶ Huntington-based Kindred Communications and Marshall University Athletics are partnering to handle operational control of Tri-State Coal Cats Baseball.
The new member of the Appalachian League will play 24 games this summer at the new Jack Cook Field, the home of Marshall University Baseball. The opening game will be June 4 at 7 p.m. when the Coal Cats host the Pulaski (Va.) River Turtles.
Kindred Communications President Mike Kirtner, who has previous management experience in minor league baseball with the club formerly known as the West Virginia Power, will also serve as the Coal Cats president while current Kindred employee Christian Palmer will be the teamƵs general manager.
ƵIƵm excited about the opportunity to be a part of Coal Cats Baseball,Ƶ Kirtner said. ƵThis is the second go-around for me as far as being involved in minor league baseball. To have it return to Huntington is personally and professionally gratifying. ItƵs something that Kindred can do and everyone can enjoy.Ƶ
The Coal Cats are one of ten teams in the Appalachian League, a summer collegiate baseball league played in the heart of the Appalachian region of the United States that is part of the Major League Baseball and USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline. The league is also an identification and selection opportunity for the following summerƵs USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
ƵWeƵre thrilled to join with Kindred Communications as our partner on the management of our Major League Baseball affiliate Appalachian League team, the Tri-State Coal Cats,Ƶ Marshall University Director of Athletics Christian Spears said. ƵWe know they will be tremendous stewards to our region and will be sincere partners in the goal of developing awesome opportunities for our region to enjoy baseball during June and July in a super-competitive league with future MLB prospects. IƵm grateful to Mike and Reeves Kirtner for their vision and leadership.Ƶ
The Coal Cats have already planned a number of regular promotions as well as special promotions and giveaways.
Regular promotions will include ƵPaws in the ParkƵ on Tuesday when fans are encouraged to bring their pets to the ballpark. Wednesdays will be ƵDollar Dog NightƵ, when fans can buy a hot dog for a dollar each with limited purchase quantities. Thursdays, fans can buy a beer for $2. After each Saturday game, there will be a party on the Jack Cook Field concourse with live music and Sunday games will include a chance for young fans to get on the field and run the bases.
The Coal Cats home games will be broadcast throughout the Tri-State on ESPN 94.1 FM and AM 930.
Kindred Communications is made up of six radio stations and nine signals including WDGG 93.7 the Dawg, WCMI 92.7 & 98.5 the Planet, WMGA 97.9 the River, WXBW Big Buck Country 101.5, WRVC 94.1 FM & AM 930 and Cat Sports 93.3 FM & AM 1340, as well as The Insider magazine and Kindred Digital.
Luke Creasy is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @LukeCreasy or reach him by phone at 304-526-2800.
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