From Haymarket Release

Haymarket, VA – (Monday, January 24, 2005) – Valley Baseball League owners unanimously approved moving the Loudoun Rangers to Haymarket, Virginia, in northwestern Prince William County, at a league meeting on Thursday, January 20, 2005, in Harrisonburg.  Pat Malone was also approved to become the new majority owner of the franchise, renamed as the Haymarket Battle Cats. 
 
“Prince William County really wants to play ball,” said Malone, the majority owner and general manager.  “They have welcomed us to Haymarket with open arms.  Baseball's a great product and we're excited to bring affordable family entertainment to the community.  Prince William County leads the nation in attracting new businesses and I can certainly see why with the tremendous response we've received in Haymarket.  Fans there are hungry and eager to see our team make a run for the Valley League championship.”

Chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, Sean Connaughton, who is also running to be Virginia's next Lieutenant Governor on the 2005 Republican ticket, is scheduled to throw out the official “first pitch” on the Haymarket Battle Cats Opening Night, Saturday, June 4, 2005, 7:30 pm, at Battlefield High School in Haymarket.  The Battle Cats are commemorating the evening as “American Legion Night” as a salute to their posts throughout Northern Virginia that support and promote American Legion youth baseball programs.

The Valley Baseball League, sanctioned by the NCAA and subsidized by Major League Baseball, is one of the nation’s premiere collegiate summer wooden-bat baseball programs.  The Haymarket Battle Cats will play their 2005 inaugural season in the Valley League’s Northern Division, along with the Front Royal Cardinals, Winchester Royals, Luray Wranglers and the New Market Rebels.  The Valley League’s Southern Division consists of the Woodstock River Bandits, Harrisonburg Turks, Staunton Braves, Waynesboro Generals and Covington Lumberjacks.

The season begins June 3.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

HBC Majority Owner/General Mgr Pat Malone: 703-768-5588

VBL President Dave Biery: 540-886-1748 (H) 540-885-8901 (O)