500 HERE WE COME

The Bombers assault on reaching 500 took a very positive step forward going 2-1 vs Jersey, and then 3-1 against Cabo San Lucas.  The Bombers are sitting at 17-23, and have gone 12-8 since firing their pitching coach at 5-15.

FAN INTEREST & ATTENDANCE

Fan interest is at 64 and has held steady there.  Looking to have a few promotional days to see if we can perk that up somewhat.

Attendance over last year (which didn't exist and is befuddling) is down 2.3%.  To turn that around for the remainder of this homestand, $2 off every ticket sold.  The goal this year is 3,000,000 fans, and we're on pace to achieve that (3.2 million) but management would be ecstatic to push the 4 Million mark, which could allow GM Altman to persue a high end free agent to help guide the youngsters to the promised land.

7 games remain on this 14 game homestand and we’ll be hosting Kansas City for 3, and then 4 against the first place Las Vegas Jokers before hitting the road for a 5 hour bus ride to Jacksonville to start a short 7 game road trip.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH FOUND

Bob Hamlyn, C, who at 37 years old hit homers in 3 consecutive games, in the series win against the Jersey Jesters.
OUCH!!!!
Star Bomber CF'er Juan Marin, is out for 3 months with a broken leg suffered making a defensive play. He was placed on the 60 day DL, freeing up a coveted roster spot for Doug Rogers, 24, called up from AA Long Island to patrol CF for the Bombers.  Altman says that the selection was because there was no native CF'er playing in AAA and Rogers offers some speed as well to create havoc on the base paths.  Manager Ritchie plans to play the kid everyday in CF and has him penciled into 9th in the order, moving SS Michael Green to 8th in the order.

In 36 games, Rogers was hitting .276 with 2 HR, 23 RBI's and 5 SB's.  He's made zero errors for the Ducks and has 2 assists

TRANSACTIONS:
Victor Enriquez and Tom Tart were both demoted to AAA, and

Glen Slaughter and Dave Nicholson were promoted.  Slaughter gives the Bombers a left-handed arm in the bullpen.

Enriquez, in his last start for the Bombers went 1.1 IP giving up 7 runs (6 earned) on 5 hits and 1 BB.

CONTRACTS

No word on the Ed Bell negotiations to report at this time.  Rumors from an anonymous source high up in the South Carolina front office says that a trade of Bell if negotiations fall apart could occur sooner than the trade deadline.  When this reporter brought this to Altman for confirmation, Altman simply stated that, "Ed Bell is an intregal part of this franchise both now and for the future and we'd love nothing more for him to finish his ABL career with the Bombers.  Not to put the cart before the horse, but we'd love to have him remain with our organization when he decides to hang up his spikes."

Dallas is rumored to be looking for Major League talent and Bell would be a great fit there.