Updated July 11 2011

2011 CPL All-Star Game Coaches Announced

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C.

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The Coastal Plain League announced today the 2011 All-Star Game head coaches and assistant coaches.

For the fifth straight year, the CPL All-Star Game will feature all 15 CPL head coaches. The National CPL All-Stars will be the visitors, while the American CPL All-Stars will be the home team for the All-Star Game on July 18 in Fayetteville, N.C.

Edenton’s Dirk Kinney will serve as the head coach of the National All-Stars. Kinney led the Steamers to a league-best 19-8 record in the first half and the north crown, and currently has Edenton – winners of eight of their last 10 games – at 27-9 overall. Serving as Kinney’s assistant coaches for the National squad will be Matt Hayes (Forest City), Blake Newsome (Florence), Chris Youngberg (Wilmington), Jay Bergman (Morehead City), Jeff Steele (Thomasville), Matt Duffy (Martinsville) and Andy Schatzley (Outer Banks).

The American CPL All-Stars will be led by Fayetteville’s Darrell Handelsman, who will be making his fourth appearance as the skipper of the American All-Stars. Handelsman previously guided the Americans in 2005, 2006 and 2007. His SwampDogs won the south first half with a record of 17-11, and are currently 23-12 overall. Fayetteville has also won eight of their last 10 games. Handelsman’s assistants will be Hank Morgan (Peninsula), Donnie Wilson (Asheboro), Jason Plourde (Gastonia), Bruce Johnson (Wilson), Bob Smith (Petersburg) and Lee Gronkiewicz (Columbia).

The 2011 Coastal Plain League All-Star Festivities will feature several attractions during the two days. During Fan Fest on Sunday, July 17, fans can look forward to the All-Star Home Run Derby, while on Monday, July 18, the main attraction will be the 2011 CPL All-Star Game. Both will be held at the home of the Faytteville SwampDogs, J.P. Riddle Stadium in Fayetteville, N.C. For ticket information, please call the SwampDogs at (910) 426-5900 or visit them on the web at www.goswampdogs.com.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 15th season in 2011, the CPL features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 44 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague).

Contact:

Justin Sellers

Phone:

(919) 852-1960