(10-15-08)

IT’S OFFICIAL: ASTROS TO PLAY AT
WHATABURGER FIELD
Hooks-Astros Exhibition April 2; Affiliation Extended through 2012

CORPUS CHRISTI – The Houston Astros are scheduled to face their Double-A affiliate, the Corpus Christi Hooks, in an exhibition contest at Whataburger Field on Thursday, April 2. Game time is 6 p.m.

Ryan Sanders Baseball CEO and Hooks founder Reid Ryan and Astros Assistant General Manager Ricky Bennett made the announcement during a joint noon press conference Wednesday at Brewster Street Ice House. The pair also revealed Corpus Christi’s player development contract with the Astros has been extended two years through the 2012 season.

“I am absolutely thrilled for all of our fans in the Corpus Christi area and throughout South Texas,” Ryan said. “What a wonderful event this will be for all of our fans and sponsors, an incredible happening in the life of our great city. My family is grateful to Drayton McLane, Ed Wade, Ricky Bennett and the Astros organization for their continued commitment to our fans.

“Corpus Christi was an Astros town long before it was a Hooks town. Our fans will have the opportunity to see players like Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt and Carlos Lee. And, they’ll get a chance to welcome Hunter Pence and other Hooks alumni back to Corpus Christi.”

The Astros and Hooks, who cemented their PDC agreement through 2010 in February, have added two additional years, the maximum allowed by Major League Baseball.

“The relationship between the Astros and Hooks has been a strong and productive one over the last four years,” Bennett said. “We are proud of our association with Ryan Sanders Baseball and the City of Corpus Christi, and we are excited about this opportunity to extend the agreement through 2012.

“Whataburger Field is a first-class ballpark, and we value greatly the contributions of the Ryans and their respective staffs at Round Rock and Corpus Christi in our player development efforts.”

2009 Hooks full-season and Friday Fireworks ticket holders have the first opportunity to purchase their seats for the Hooks-Astros game. That information is included in invoices for 2008 season-ticket holders going out this week.

For information about how to purchase 2009 Hooks season tickets, call
361-561-HOOK.

Any remaining seats and general admission tickets go on sale in early March.

Copyright 2007 CC Hooks Baseball