Press Release:

August 6, 2007

WALTHER’S WOODEN BAT LEAGUE RETURNS

Louisville Sluggers aren’t made of aluminum, but most young baseball players don’t ever get the chance to play with wooden bats. That will not be the case for the participants of Walther Lutheran High School’s fall 2007 Wooden Bat League. Walther will again be hosting a Wooden Bat League for 7th and 8th grade students from all over the Chicago area. “Fall is a perfect time for baseball,” says Kevin Charpentier, who coordinates the program. “This is a unique opportunity to play the game with wooden bat as it was originally conceived. Players will be introduced to 90 foot bases and an exceptional high school field.” Also a coach in Walther’s year round baseball program, Charpentier encourages 7th and 8th graders to “Come on out, lace up your spikes and meet new friends.”

Walther’s Wooden Bat League is in its fourth year. Nelson Virzi of Franklin Park, a freshman at Walther, was among last year’s participants. “I’ve been playing baseball with metal bats since I was in preschool, so it was really cool to play with a wooden bat for a change,” he said. “You always see the pros using them. It was harder to hit, but I enjoyed it. It was neat.”

“It’s another opportunity to participate in America’s favorite sport,” explained head coach Don Gillingham, whose 2007 Walther Lutheran Broncos took 3rd place in the Illinois High School Association State Baseball Tournament after claiming Supersectional, Sectional and Regional victories. “Fall baseball should be more popular than it is” he stated.” After all, base hits count double in October!”

The Wooden Bat League plays doubleheaders each Sunday from September 9 to October 7 at Walther’s Wentland Athletic Field. Game time is 1 p.m., with stretching and pregame warm-ups beginning at noon. The cost of league participation is $75 per player. For an additional $50, players have the option of ordering a personalized engraved wooden bat through the program.

Year round sports for elementary, middle and high school students and IHSA tournament participation is just part of the offerings at Walther Lutheran High School. The school is at Chicago and 9th in Melrose Park. College preparatory classes are the cornerstone for a well-rounded program of academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities in a faith-centered environment. Information about Walther is available at Walther.com or by calling 708.344.0404. Request a Wooden Bat League brochure to register or contact Kevin Charpentier at kevin_charpentier@walther.com.

Press Release contact: Lori Solyom, Public Information Coordinator