South Jersey Baseball: Thunder Spring Schedule Released, 14 Games Starting March 20th Just 52 Days Remain Before Season Opener On April 8th... Monday, February 16, 2004 By Dan Loney Trenton Thunder Baseball Club The Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, has released its 2004 Spring Training Schedule. The spring schedule includes 14 games and four intrasquad games before the Season Opener against the Erie SeaWolves on Thursday, April 8th. All players will report to the New York Yankees complex in Tampa, FL by March 5th. The first workout for all players will be Sunday, March 7th. The Yankees Minor League teams will have three days of Intrasquad games, starting Wednesday, March 17th before facing the Philadelphia Phillies Double-A players on Saturday, March 20th. The Thunder will also play Minor League affiliates of the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Stump Merrill returns in 2004 for his second season as Manager of the Trenton Thunder. Merrill led the Thunder to a 70-71 record in 2003. Merrill is entering his 21st season as Manager in the New York Yankees System and collected his 1500th career win last season. His coaching staff returns Pitching Coach Gary Lavelle, Hitting Coach Steve Braun and Trainer Greg Spratt. The Thunder will finish Spring Training with a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Double-A players on Sunday, April 4th and Intrasquad games on Monday, April 5th before breaking camp and heading to Trenton for the season opener. Once arriving in Trenton, the players will work out at Waterfront Park on April 6th & 7th. The workout on April 6th is open to the public beginning at 6:00 PM. Thunder players and coaches will take part in the annual “Welcome North Dinner” at Angeloni’s Cedar Gardens in Hamilton on Wednesday, April 7th beginning at 6:00 PM. The “Welcome North Dinner” is a greatPlace for fans to interact with Thunder players and coaches, as well asget autographs and take pictures with the future Yankees “Legends Of Tomorrow”. Last year, fans enjoyed a great speech by special guest Frank Howard, Special Assistant to the Minor Leagues. Another “Special Yankees Guest” will be the keynote speaker for this year’s dinner. That announcement will be made in the near future. Tickets for the “Welcome North Dinner” are $21 for adults and $19 for children (12 and under). They are available by contacting the Thunder Ticket Office at (609) 394-3300. The doors will open at 6:00 PM with the festivities getting underway at 7:00 PM. The 2004 Season Opener is set for Thursday, April 8th against the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, at 7:05 PM. Tickets for the Season Opener and all 2004 Trenton Thunder home games are available RIGHT NOW!!! Tickets can be ordered by phone (609-394- 3300), over the Internet (www.trentonthunder.com) or in person at Waterfront Park. 2004 Thunder Spring Schedule (in Tampa, FL) March 7th 1st Workout March 26th vs. Phillies March 17th Intrasquad Game March 27th @ Devil Rays March 18th Intrasquad Game March 28th CAMP DAY March 19th Intrasquad Game March 29th vs. Devil Rays March 20th vs. Phillies March 30th @ Blue Jays March 21st @ Devil Rays March 31st vs. Blue Jays March 22nd vs. Devil Rays April 1st @ Phillies March 23rd @ Blue Jays April 2nd vs. Phillies March 24th vs. Blue Jays April 3rd @ Devil Rays March 25th @ Phillies April 4th Intrasquad Game Phillies- Clearwater, FL Blue Jays- Dunedin, FL Devil Rays- St. Petersburg, FL Activities In Trenton ----- April 6th Workout/Media Day April 7th Workout/ Welcome North Dinner April 8th Season Opener vs. Erie (7:05 PM)

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