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Auditions set for Feb. 20 for 2010 Braves Brigade (Media release) The 2010 Rome Braves Brigade tryouts will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, at State Mutual Stadium beginnin at 9 a.m. Participants should wear clothing and shoes that they can move and dance easily in. The tryout will consist of a short routine which is taught and will then be performed for the judges in groups. Each participant will then have a brief personal interview with the judges. For more, call the office at 706-378-5100 and ask for Libby or e-mail questions to libby.simonds@braves.com.

Tommy Hanson, Braves execs fire up Hot Stove for Rome Braves fans

Atlanta pitcher Tommy Hanson, right, talks with Rome Braves General Manager Mike Dunn, left, and Kurt Kemp, the organization's director of player development, during a media briefing prior to Monday's Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum. Also taking part in the Q & A session with local media was Randy Ingle, who returns for a fifth season as manager of the Rome club

Hundreds of baseball fans got a preview of the 2010 baseball seasons--Rome, Atlanta and the rest of the organization's teams--during the Eighth Annual Hot Stove Gathering host by the Rome Braves at The Forum Monday evening.

The gathering again was a blend of baseball talk, autographs, ballpark food, silent auction and all-around teaser to the start of the new season that gets under way in a few weeks as pitchers and catchers report.

It also was a fund-raiser for Rome-based Cancer Navigators and a chance to remember Jim "Beach" Beauchamp, a longtime member of the Braves' organization who died Christmas Day 2007 after a long battle against leukemia.

The headliner Monday evening was Tommy Hanson, the former Rome Brave now in the starting lineup for the Atlanta club. Hanson went 11-4 after starting in 21 games for Atlanta in 2009, posting an ERA of 2.89.

In a media briefing Monday, Hanson said he spent the off season "just working out" in anticipation of the new year. He said he was "good to be back in Rome" where he pitched his way to the South Atlantic League All-Star team in 2007. Hanson recalls "a lot of fun times around the stadium" and added, "Rome definitely was a big step for me."

Asked about any messages he had for local kids trying to make their way into professional baseball, Hanson said, " Keep working hard. Go out there with everything you've got. Work as hard as you can to get better."

Joining Hanson on the panel were Kurt Kemp, Atlanta's director of player development; Mike Dunn, general manager of the Rome team; and Randy Ingle, Rome's manager.

Asked about part-time Adairsville resident Bobby Cox's final year in baseball this season, Kemp said the big-league manager "has meant so much to this organization." He credited Cox for "making great things happen for our major league team."

Hanson added, "I love Bobby. He's an awesome guy." The team hopes to have a good year, Hanson says, "to send him off on a good note."

Ingle said fans can expect to see a lot of new players this year and hopefully a better record. But, he added, in Single A ball, the overall goal is to develop players. Rome has done that year after year as shown by Hanson and all-star catcher Brian McCann.

Also on hand Monday were Atlanta third base coach Brian Snitker; pitcher Kris Medlen; former Rome Braves pitcher Ryne Reynoso and other members of the Rome field staff including Bobby Moore, Jim Czajkowski, and Allan Chase; and other members of the Atlanta organization.

The Rome Braves open the 2010 season on the road April 8 with four games in Kannapolis followed by four in Greenville. The home opener is Friday, April 16, vs. Savannah. For more, click Rome Braves

Assorted pieces of baseball paraphernalia were up for silent auction as part of Monday's Hot Stove Gathering. Bobble heads, baseballs, bats and footballs were up for bid as was a bobble head of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Tickets on sale for the 2010 Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame dinner

(Media release) Tickets to the Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame are now on sale. This year’s ceremony will be held at the Krannert Center at Berry College on Monday, March 8.The evening consists of a reception, banquet and awards ceremony. Tickets are $30 for the public and $20 for Hall of Fame members. Tickets may be purchased online at rfpra.com or in-person at 300 W. Third St.

The cost of the Sports Hall of Fame program is solely supported by ticket sales and sponsorships. The event is hosted by the Sports Hall of Fame Committee and Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority. For sponsorship package information, please contact Lisa Nash, Event Coordinator, 706.291.0766, lnash@rfpra.com

Four new members will be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame: Jackie Miller Walburn for Amateur Athlete, Felton Creamer  for Meritorious Service, Robert (Bob) Grizzard for Meritorious Service and Vernon Grizzard for Meritorious Service. Special recognition will be given in memory of Von Gammon.

The Sports Hall of Fame was started in 1971 in order to recognize amateur and professional athletes and those who contribute to the growth and development of sports.  Nominations are submitted in four categories: amateur athlete, professional athlete, meritorious service and lifetime achievement. Nominations for the Sports Hall of Fame are submitted by the general public and are received year-round. Visit rfpra.com for program details.

Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6

(Media release) The calendar may say October, but Dr. John Azar-Dickens and other runners and walkers in the area are already looking ahead to third edition of the Berry Half-Marathon, scheduled for March 6, 2010.

“In any endurance event such as a half-marathon or marathon, it is important to begin preparing early,” said Dr. Azar-Dickens, a Berry College faculty member and avid runner who recently completed his first Ironman Triathlon. “Proper training allows for a slow progression in mileage each week, prepares the body efficiently for the exertion level and reduces the risk of injury.”

For the second consecutive year, Dr. Azar-Dickens is overseeing the training regime for Team Berry, a support group for Berry students, faculty and staff members who are planning to compete in third-annual event.

“Team Berry begins training in mid October and continues weekly until the race in March,” Dr. Azar-Dickens explained. “Last year, there were roughly 40 people who trained together and finished the race successfully.

“We focus on gently increasing our mileage each week as we approach the 13-mile goal,” he continued. “This helps ensure that participants are well prepared and less vulnerable to injuries. Careful and well planned preparation/training also increases the chances of a more enjoyable race, not just physically but psychologically as well.”

Registration for the half-marathon is under way and will continue through the winter months. More than 1,500 competitors flocked to the world’s largest college campus for the 2009 event, and organizers expect an even greater turnout in 2010. Once again, participants will have their choice of three different races: the signature half-marathon, the Viking Classic 10K and a 5K. There is also a one-mile fun run for children.

All three races feature electronic timing on courses that are certified by USA Track & Field. Both the half-marathon and the 10K are official qualifiers for Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race. Walkers are welcome in all races.

Registration for the half-marathon is $55 through Dec. 1, $65 from Dec. 2 to Feb. 15, and $75 through March 4 (no race-day registration available). Registration for the 10K and 5K is $20 through Feb. 1, $25 from Feb. 2 to March 4, $35 at the pre-race pasta dinner on March 5, and $40 on race day. Registration for the one-mile fun run is $5 (either mail-in or on race day).

Half-marathon finishers will receive technical shirts and finishing medals. Participants in the other races will receive t-shirts. Go to www.berryhalfmarathon.com to register online. Proceeds will benefit Berry College Elementary and Middle School. Call 706-346-6223 or e-mail berryhalf@gmail.com for more details.