THUNDER TO HOST SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES INAUGURAL BASEBALL FINALS

THUNDER TO HOST SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES INAUGURAL BASEBALL FINALS
Free Event Will See Bronze, Silver, & Gold Medals Decided

A national championship will be decided at ARM & HAMMER Park, home of the Trenton Thunder, when the Special Olympics USA Games Inaugural Baseball Finals are held on Thursday, June 19. "We've had High School, College, and Eastern League championships decided at ARM & HAMMER Park, and now we get to see Olympic medals up for grabs," said Thunder COO/GM Will Smith. "The Special Olympics USA Games is a huge event for the state of New Jersey and we are thrilled to host the baseball medal games.  Come see the best athletes in the United States of America go for the gold in this historic inaugural event!" The Baseball Finals will include the Bronze Medal Game at 4:30pm followed by the Gold Medal Game at 7:00pm. This is a General Admission event and it is free and open to the public. The normal parking fee of $3 per car will be charged.  The gates at ARM & HAMMER Park will open at4:00pm. "The Trenton Thunder organization has demonstrated the ultimate level of respect for our athletes with the hosting of the medal rounds of our first ever national baseball event at these 2014 USA Games,” stated Marc Edenzon, President of Special Olympics New Jersey.   “Our athletes have waited over 45 years for this opportunity and now will experience playing at ARM & HAMMER Park, on the very same field that Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Tony Clark and other baseball greats have played.” The Special Olymics USA Baseball tournament includes teams from New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Alabama. With this being the first time that the sport of baseball is included in the Special Olympics USA Games, the National Baseball Hall of Fame will be on hand for a ceremony between games. The Special Olympics USA Games will be hosted by New Jersey June 14-21, 2014. Nearly 3,500 athletes will compete in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 70,000 family, friends and spectators. For more information, please visit www.2014specialolympics.org.  The Thunder will begin a three-game weekend series with the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh) on Friday, June 6 at ARM & HAMMER Park.  Tickets are available at trentonthunder.com or by calling 609-394-3300.