Part of 2011 CPL All-Star Festivities

 The Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League have announced that 2011 CPL All-Star Daniel Aldrich has been selected to participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby as part of the 2011 All-Star festivities on Sunday night, July 17.

Daniel Aldrich is one of 16 CPL All-Stars in the Home Run Derby.

Aldrich will be one of eight players from the American team that will take on eight players from the National squad in the contest.

The Home Run Derby consists of three rounds with eight outs per round in the first two rounds before a 10-out final round where players can use aluminum bats for up to two outs per round. Home runs with wood bats are worth three points, while those homers with aluminum bats are only worth one point each.

After Round 1, the top three hitters from both teams will advance to Round 2, where the top two hitters overall will advance to Round 3. In the Final Round, the hitter with the most points, combined from Rounds 1-3, is crowned the 2011 Champion.

Aldrich, who plays collegiately at the College of Charleston, was named 2011 National Freshman of the Year and also recently won the 2011 College Home Run Derby on July 2.

He leads the Sharks with 28 RBIs through July 14, while his three home runs and seven doubles are tied for the most on the team.

The Fayetteville SwampDogs, in conjunction with the Coastal Plain League, will host the All-Star Game and festivities beginning on Sunday, July 17 and running through Monday, July 18. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. on July 18. On Sunday, players will participate in the CPL All-Star Fan Fest before the 2011 CPL Home Run Derby Sunday night. Monday, the CPL All-Stars will do a variety of events, including making a visit to Fort Bragg Army base in Fayetteville, before the All-Star game on Monday night.

The Wilmington Sharks are members of Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league.  Celebrating its 15^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 700 alumni drafted and 35 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.