The Sharks have a lot to live up to during the 2010 season. Coming off a season which the "Shark Tank" hosted the 2009 CPL All Star Game and the team receiving the honor of CPL Organization of the Year, last summer leaves some big shoes to fill.

Fans have become accustomed to the Sharks as a staple of family, affordable entertainment in Wilmington since 1997. Each year the Sharks introduce something new and exciting for the community to enjoy. There are also numerous promotions that the Sharks will welcome back again, like the ever-popular Thirsty Thursdays.

With Tom Fleenor (South Carolina-Sumter) at the helm on the field the Sharks are anxious to return to their winning ways. 

Off the field the bar has been set high for the Sharks and they are ready to jump over the bar, reaching new heights for the 2010 season.

The Wilmington Sharks have released their schedule for the 2010 season. The regular season starts on Wednesday, May 26th and runs through Monday, August 2nd. The league’s annual All-Star Fan Fest and All-Star Game will be on July 19th and 20th. The location of the 2010 CPL All-Star Game will be announced in the near future.

The Wilmington Sharks will open their 2010 home schedule on Thursday, May 27th hosting the newest CPL franchise, the Morehead City Marlins. The Sharks will begin their season on the road in Asheboro on May 26th, against the Copperheads. The Sharks will end the first half of the season at home when they host the Thomasville HiToms on June 28th. The final regular season home game is scheduled for Sunday, August 1st against the Columbia Blowfish.

The Sharks 2010 schedule features a total of 18 games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights including nine “Thirsty Thursdays.” In addition to 28 CPL games at the “Shark Tank” the Sharks will also be hosting three exhibition games for a total of 31 home dates in 2010. Please stay tuned to wilmingtonsharks.com for information on additional events.

RALEIGH, N.C - Sabrina Bengel, President of Riverfront Sports & Entertainment, Inc. along with Pete Bock, President and Commissioner of the Coastal Plain League announced today that Morehead City (N.C.) will be the newest city to welcome a Coastal Plain League franchise. The Morehead City Marlins will be the 15th franchise in the Coastal Plain League.

"We as a league are very excited about the Morehead City franchise coming on board, Bock said. "We believe that this will be a tremendous market for our league and for the team. The league has been very active with team officials and the City on the development of the new facility. It is exciting to be a part of bringing baseball to Morehead City and we look forward to them being an exciting new addition to the Coastal Plain League.

The Wilmington Sharks would like to thank our fans, host families, players and staff for making 2009 the best season yet at the “Shark Tank.” Without your support and generosity, the season would not have been possible. The lack of wins on the field did not take away from a successful and enjoyable 2009 experience at the “Shark Tank.”

In addition to hosting 30 home games the Sharks had the opportunity to host the Coastal Plain League All-Star Game and Fanfest. More than 5,000 fans flocked to the “Shark Tank” for the two-day event which featured the “Hometown Heroes” softball game showcasing the Wilmington Fire Department vs. the Wilmington Police Department, CPL Home Run Derby and the CPL All-Star Game. Furthermore, 2009 at the “Shark Tank” also had an appearance by Miss USA Kristen Dalton on Opening Day, five fireworks shows and seven “Thirsty Thursdays” in the newly renovated beer garden.

There were few throughout the season who would argue that the Wilmington Sharks brought together a dug out full of great baseball talent from around the country. Though, the results do suggest that there was just something that didn't connect.

The club ran out of the gates nipping at first place, and closed the season with wins in six of eight. In between there were struggles. While that takes away from post season thrills, it should still take nothing away from what these young men brought to the field each and every night and the passion with which they played the game, no matter the summer's ups and downs.

From a stalwart pitching staff, to solid defense and hitting that came and went, the Sharks showed up to play, and put on a show more often than night on this season of 2009.