Gwinnett Stadium Now Coolray Field

The Gwinnett Braves and Coolray have agreed to terms on a deal that will change the name of Gwinnett Stadium to Coolray Field.

The agreement  between the Gwinnett Braves, the Triple A minor league team of the Atlanta Braves, and Coolray Heating and Cooling gives Coolray naming rights for sixteen years. In addition, Coolray has the rights to display a prominent  LED signboard along Highway 20, ans signage at both the main entrance to the ballpark and above the right field scoreboard.

Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President of Business Operations Mike Plant stated “after our first full season of operation, the Gwinnett Braves continue to showcase our strong ties to the community and we are proud to partner with a great community-oriented company,”

The Gwinnett Braves currently play at Gwinnett Stadium and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The first game at the newly named Coolray Field will be on April 8th against the Charlotte Knights at 7:05 p.m. All Gwinnett Braves 2010 tickets packages, starting as low as $6 per game, are available now at gwinnettbraves.com, the Coolray Field Box Office and by calling (678) 277-0340.

Braves Fan Club Announces Banquet

The Braves 400 Fan Club will host its annual winter banquet and fundraiser on Saturday, February 13, at the Marriott Perimeter Center. A gala reception, silent auction and raffle of Braves memorabilia begins at 5:30 p.m. with the awards dinner and program following at 7:00 p.m.

This year’s theme, “Great Atlanta Braves Pitching Rotations”, will feature some current and former Braves pitchers and guests recalling stories of the great pitching rotations. Braves announcer Jim Powell will emcee the evening’s festivities. Early RSVPs include Phil Niekro, Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen, Charlie Leibrandt, and Braves minor league stars Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, Greg Creek, Ryne Reynoso, Danville Braves manager Paul Runge, former Georgia Tech star Luke Murton (Yankees), and Metro-Atlanta High School Player of the Year Zack Wheeler (Giants) from East Paulding High School. Additional celebrity guests are anticipated.

Former New York Yankee great Bobby Richardson will accept the Luke Appling Nostalgia Award. Other awards include the Ivan Allen Jr. “Mr. Baseball” Award, outstanding performances by Braves minor leaguers, and the 2010 Phil Niekro College Scholarships being awarded to the Morehouse College and Georgia State baseball programs.

Admission is by advance reservation only, and the deadline is Tuesday, February 9; no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are only $65 and include dinner and a well-stocked goody bag. Make reservations on the Club’s website www.braves400.org or by mailing a check to the Braves 400 Club, P.O. Box 7689, Atlanta, GA 30309. Information is available on the Web site or by calling the Braves 400 Fan Club’s hotline, 770-416-4539, to hear a recorded message.

The Braves 400 Fan Club, the official fan club of the Atlanta Braves, was formed in 1965, a full year before the Braves made their move from Milwaukee to Atlanta, and has been an integral part of the fan base for the Atlanta Braves ever since. The club is a non-profit organization supporting baseball at all levels – awarding baseball scholarships to metro-Atlanta colleges and recognizing metro-Atlanta high school all-stars as well as minor and major league players in the Braves organization.

Braves Putting Pressure on Phillies

Don’t look now, but the Atlanta Braves are red hot and trying to close the gap for the lead in their division.  Atlanta Braves are playing baseball the way we’re used to as they open up a key series tomorrow night in Turner Field against the division leading Philadelphia Phillies.

So far this year the Braves have owned the Phillies winning seven of the first nine games. On the mound tomorrow night for Atlanta is right hand pitcher Jair Jurrjens. So far this year Jurrjens has pitched well against the Phillies, throwing over twelve scoreless innings for two wins.

The Braves  have been playing good ball since the All-Star break thanks to a solid pitching staff that may only get better. Derek Lowe got his 5th consecutive win last night against the Nationals in a 6-2 victory. Javier Vazquez and Jair Jurjjens have had strong years so far. Add to that the stellar rookie performance of  Tommy Hanson and the Atlanta Braves have one of the best rotations in the league.

Meanwhile, veteran Tim Hudson is making a return after Tommy John elbow surgery.  He is scheduled to return to the Braves lineup in September and makes a rehab start tonight for the Triple A Gwinnett.

The addition of power hitting first baseman Adam LaRoche is already paying dividends. LaRoche sparked the Braves to a win last night with two home runs and three RBIs. LaRoche also provided the go ahead run in the seventh inning Tuesday nights game with a home run.

Momentum has clearly shifted to the Atlanta Braves who have won six out of their last seven games. The Braves took 3 out of 4 against the National League leading Los Angeles Dodgers and swept the Phillies in their last series at the end of June.

If you’re searching for things to do in Atlanta this weekend consider putting this sports event at the top of you list.

Atlanta Braves Tickets and Schedule

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