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Ingle: It's good to be 'home'

Rome Braves General Manager Mike Dunn, left, with the team's 2012 field staff: from left, trainer Brandon Harris; manager Randy Ingle; pitching coach Derrick Lewis; and hitting coach Carlos Mendez.

The man who led the Rome Braves on the field from 2006 to 2010 is back to do so in 2012. Randy Ingle returns to Rome after a year in the Atlanta Braves' Danville organization. It's likely some of his stars from that club's successful year will be part of his 2012 Rome Braves' roster. "We're looking forward to having a very good year." Some of the Danville players were part of the Rome club late in the season.

-Ingle and the 2012 Rome Braves open the home season on April 12 vs. Charleston. Single-game tickets go on sale March 17.

-Braves Miracle Field of Rome opens April 14: Look for the field to be a tribute to longtime Braves' bench coach Jim Beauchamp who lost his battle against leukemia on Christmas Day 2007. Proceeds from Monday's 10th annual Hot Stove Gathering benefited Miracle Field.

Rome Braves Manager Randy Ingle, center, and General Manager Mike Dunn, far right, anchor a group photo of many of the Braves' organization on hand for the Jan. 30 Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum.

Gonzalez: LakePoint ground breaking possible in April

Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, left, talks with Andrew Carter of WRGA 1470 AM and Christina Saul of the Rome News.

Atlanta Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez, in Rome for the annual Hot Stove Gathering Monday night, says his group hopes to break ground on Emerson's LakePoint Sporting Community and Town Center by April. Twelve months later, they hope to see the first pitch, says Gonzalez, who starts his second year as manager of the Atlanta club.

-More ground will be moved to build LakePoint that was moved to build Atlanta's international airport, he says. Some of that work already is under way and a construction trailer and signage are on the site bordered by U.S. 41 and I-75.

-Look for two phases of initial construction, one for baseball and one for other sports, he says. The retail build-out will follow, including hotels, restaurants and Bass Pro Shop among other retailers.

-Also planned: Another Miracle Field for physically challenged baseball players. Gonzalez says the field will see league play among those athletes.

 New Facebook page for the Braves' Miracle Field of Rome premieres. The page shows construction updates and will soon post registration information for athletes and volunteers. Play begins in April. Miracle

Rome Braves toss in a few change-ups in 2012 schedule:

-Media release: The 2012 Rome Braves schedule has been released as the team opens the season with road games in Charleston and Savannah beginning April 5.  The first home game is Thursday, April 12, vs. Charleston. Click Schedule

-Next season includes five 5 p.m. Sunday start times as well as three 10:30 a.m. games and four 1 p.m. games.  The 2012 Promotional Calendar will be released soon featuring special giveaways and themed nights. 
-For season ticket information and event booking, call 706-378-5100.