Updated July 10 2007

2007 Coastal Plain League All-Star Coaches Announced

CPL All-Star Game Coaches Announced.

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League announced today the 2007 All-Star Game head coaches and assistant coaches. For the first time ever, the CPL All-Star Game will feature all 15 CPL head coaches.



For the third consecutive year, Darrell Handelsman of the Fayetteville SwampDogs will take the helm of the American CPL All-Stars. Handelsman’s assistant head coach will be a familiar face in Sean Heffernan of Florence – his assistant in the 2006 CPL All-Star Game. Serving as the assistant coaches for the American squad will be Tim Medlin (Columbia), Rob Watt (Martinsville), Matt Hayes (Spartanburg), Robbie Wilson (Outer Banks), Dusty Blake (Asheboro) and Dave Carfley (Petersburg).



The National CPL All-Stars will be led by Thomasville’s Ryan McCurry. McCurry will have Edenton’s Marty Smith as his assistant head coach, while their assistant coaches will be Jeff Steele (Wilson), Matt Reid (Peninsula), Andrew Wright (Wilmington), Eli Benefield (Gastonia) and Darin Vaughan (New Bern).



Handelsman, the CPL Coach of the Decade, led the SwampDogs to the South Division First Half Championship, and to a new league-best 23-5 record overall in the first half. The 23 wins are the most by a team in a half ever in the history of the Coastal Plain League. Meanwhile, Heffernan (Francis Marion) guided the RedWolves to a second-place finish in the South, highlighted by a 16-11 overall record – the fourth-best winning percentage in the first half of the season. Furthermore, Handelsman and Heffernan combined for an American CPL All-Star victory a year ago in Fayetteville, N.C.



McCurry (Western Carolina) is making his first trip as a coach to the CPL All-Star Game, after leading the HiToms to 19-8 record (second-best in the league) and the West Division First Half crown. Meanwhile, Smith (Angelo State) and his Steamers took the North First Half title thanks to a 16-11 record.



The 2007 Coastal Plain League All-Star Festivities will feature several attractions during the two days. During Fan Fest on Monday, July 16, fans can look forward to a Media Hot Dog Eating Contest, Media Home Run Derby, the All-Star Home Run Derby and fireworks. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, July 17, the main attraction will be the 2007 CPL All-Star Game. Both will be held at the home of the Columbia Blowfish, Capital City Stadium in Columbia, S.C. For ticket information, please call the Blowfish at (803) 254-4029 or visit them on the web at www.blowfishbaseball.com.



The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league, now in its 11th season. Featuring 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL is certified by Major League Baseball, and gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

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