The Outer Banks Daredevils Baseball Club released its 2010 schedule this week, with an opening day twist and games against a new division team.
On the Daredevils' Opening Day, the club will host the Coastal Plain League's latest addition, the Morehead City Marlins, on Wednesday, May 26. The Marlins were previously the New Bern River Rats, who played its last CPL season in 2007.
With Morehead City on board, Outer Banks will also benefit from a fifth CPL North Division team in Wilson. For the past few seasons, the North has had just four teams while the South and West held five. The Daredevils will play Wilson six times at First Flight Baseball Complex, as well as familiar North squads in Edenton, Peninsula and Petersburg
On two separate weeks Outer Banks will play four-straight in Kill Devil Hills, with one stretch from June 21-24 and the second July 12-15. The 28-game home slate ends Wednesday, July 28, against Petersburg. All games will have a 7 p.m. start. There is potential for exhibition games at home in 2010. Last season, the Daredevils played Fuquay-Varina and Catawba Valley in exhibition play
"We're definitely excited about having an even number of teams in comparison to the other CPL divisions," Outer Banks General Manager Owen Hassell said. "We also have a number of home games early in the week, which attract more fans in our market."
Outer Banks looks to continue promotions such as Kids Night Mondays and Faith and Family Tuesdays. The Daredevils will play 12 of its 28 home contests on either Monday or Tuesday.
"To have a church pastor sort of emcee our Tuesday home games became a big hit," Hassell said. "We look forward to doing it again."
To see the complete team schedule, go to www.obxdaredevils.com and click the schedule link. Last summer was a banner year for Outer Banks, winning the first half CPL North Division title and reaching the semifinals of the Petitt Cup Playoffs. The Daredevils were ranked as high as No. 7 in the weekly Perfect Game Crosschecker poll of the country’s top summer league teams, and had seven league all-stars
Outer Banks is a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Heading into its 14th season with 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL 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 Web site at www.coastalplain.com
