The Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League (CPL) have announced their schedule for the 2012 season.  The Sharks home-opener will take place on Tuesday, May 29^th against the Morehead City Marlins.

The Sharks are scheduled to play a 56 game league schedule with 28 games being played at Buck Hardee Field, aka “The Shark Tank”.  The 2012 season will see the Sharks play at home on every Thursday during the ten week summer schedule.  In addition to the 28 CPL games, the Sharks are working on scheduling at least one home exhibition game.

The CPL announced they have contracted one team from the league for the 2012 season and will field 14 teams consisting of two divisions; East and West.  The Sharks will be one of seven teams that make-up the East Division, with Edenton Steamers, Fayetteville SwampDogs, Morehead City Marlins, Peninsula Pilots, Petersburg Generals and Wilson Tobs joining them.

The West Division will be made up of: Asheboro Copperheads, Columbia Blowfish, Florence Redwolves, Forest City Owls, Gastonia Grizzlies, Martinsville Mustangs and Thomasville HiToms.

A promotional schedule along with game times will be announced at a later date.

For more information about the Sharks please contact the Sharks office at 910.343.5621.

The Wilmington Sharks are members of Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league.  Preparing for its 16^th season, The Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats.  Players are housed with local host families for the summer.  The CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 45 alums make their Major League debut thus far.  For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

The Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League (CPL) announced they are teaming up with the US Marine Corps in their annual toy drive, Toys for Tots.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

The Sharks have partnered with Wilmington Orthopaedic Group as a drop off location for the Toys for Tots Program.  Those wanting to donate an unwrapped toy may do so by stopping by Wilmington Orthopaedic’s office located at 2716 Ashton Drive, Wilmington, NC 28412.  The Sharks will also be giving a free general admission ticket good for any regular season home game during the 2012 season to those who drop off a toy.  The Sharks will begin accepting donations Monday, November 14^th.

“Toys for Tots toy drive is an outstanding program and a campaign we wanted to be a part of,” said Andrew Aguilar, general manager of the Sharks.  “In exchange for a donated toy, you will receive a ticket to a Sharks game during the 2012 season.  This is our way of saying thank you to those who will be helping the less fortunate and put a smile on the faces of the children who might not otherwise have something to open this holiday season.”

The Wilmington Sharks are members of Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league.  Preparing for its 16^th season, The Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats.  Players are housed with local host families for the summer.  The CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 45 alums make their Major League debut thus far.  For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.