PORTIONS OF DELUCA FIELD WILL OPEN EARLY SUNDAY FOR TEAM USA GAME AGAINST STRATFORD BRAKETTES

July 20, 2008 - Four years ago fans attending the Team USA-Stratford Brakettes softball games arrived up to five hours before game time. This Sunday at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field in Stratford, the two teams clash again with the nine-inning contest scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Only three other stops remain for the 54-1 Team USA on their Bound for Beijing Tour. The Brakettes enter this weekend at 36-0 as they prepare to defend their ASA National Championship next month.

In anticipation of early arriving spectators, portions of DeLuca Field will be open Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m. before fans will be asked to exit the park in preparation for the official opening. The DeLuca Field refreshment stand, Brakettes and Team USA souvenir booths, and the rest rooms will be open. The bleachers will be partitioned off and no fans will be allowed in the seating area until the gates officially open at 5 p.m.

Fans with reserved seating will enter via the main entrance, adjacent to the ticket booth. General admission fans will enter via the back gate on the first base side of the field.

One of the coveted souvenirs is the Team USA program book which is a must for the softball fan. The full color program has in-depth coverage of the entire Olympic Team roster and coaching staff, which includes former Brakettes Cat Osterman and Kelly Kretschman, along with USA alternate Lisa Fernandes, and Coach Karen (Sanchelli) Johns. This will be the last USA Olympic softball team until 2016 at the earliest.

In addition to the main DeLuca Field parking lot, the adjacent Hunter Haven's lot, and the north parking lot at the Army Engine Plant can accommodate over 1,000 vehicles. All traffic on Main Street will be directed to the Army Engine Plant parking lot where the Hunter Haven's property will be filled first. Fans with handicapped stickers, media and VIP passes will be permitted entrance into the main DeLuca Field lot.

Following the game there will be a 20-minute cooling off and interview period for the players before they will sign autographs for 45 minutes.

While the game is sold out, the Brakettes radio network will webcast the game starting with a pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. Rob Baird will handle the play-by-play.

TEAM USA vs. STRATFORD BRAKETTES
TIME LINE FOR SUNDAY JULY 20

At Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field

2:00 p.m. - Parking Lots Open

2:00-4:30 p.m. - Refreshment Stand, Souvenir Booths, Rest Rooms Open for Early Arriving Fans

4:30-5:00 p.m. - All Fans exit park from limited access entry

5:00 p.m. - Gates officially open: reserved seating enters via main gate adjacent to Brakettes ticket booth and general admission enters via rear gate behind first base stands

5:00 p.m. - Team USA and Stratford Brakettes Batting Practice

6:00 p.m. - Stretch and Warm-ups, both teams

6:20 p.m. - Field Available for ground balls and fly balls

6:30 p.m. - Stratford Brakettes Pre-game Warm Up

6:40 p.m. - Team USA Pre-game Warm Up

6:50 p.m. - Team Introductions

6:54 p.m. - National Anthem

6:58 p.m. - Ceremonial First Pitch

7:00 p.m. - Game Starts

9:00 p.m. (approx.) - End of Game: Cool down period and media interviews

9:20-10:05 p.m. - Autograph Session along outfield fences