The Wilmington Sharks are hosting the 2009 Coastal Plain League All-Star Game and Fan Fest Monday, July 20th and Tuesday, July 21st. 

The All-Star Game festivities will all be held at the "Shark Tank" at Buck Hardee Field at the Legion Sports Complex.

The gates will swing open on Monday's Fan Fest at 5 p.m. Fans will get a chance to get autographs from players on both the National and American All-Star clubs.

Then, starting at 6:30 p.m. fans are invited cheer on, while paying tribute to, local heroes as the Wilmington Police Department and Wilmington Fire Department square off in the "Home Town Heroes" softball game.

A night of All-Star fun contiues at 8 p.m. with the 2009 CPL Home Run Derby. Sixteen of the biggest sluggers from around the Coastal Plain League will swing for the fences of the "Shark Tank" to see who is the ultimate power hitter in the CPL.

After that action packed night, fans will have a chance to catch their breath before the main event Tuesday night. The first pitch of the 2009 Coastal Plain League All-Star game is set for 7 p.m. Gates will open at 6 p.m.

Both box and general admission seats are still available for Monday's Fan Fest as well as the All-Star game itself. Box seats are eight dollars and general admission is five dollars. For more information or to buy tickets call the Sharks offices at (910) 343.5621.

The Sharks hosted the CPL’s inaugural All-Star Game back on July 14, 1999 between the East and West All-Stars. The East All-Stars won that affair by the score of 6-3. Fans may also remember a couple of names – Kevin Youkilis and Dallas McPherson – who played in the 1999 CPL All-Star Game and later went on to be Major Leaguers. Youkilis, the starting first baseman for the Boston Red Sox, has since won two World Series Championships with the Red Sox, as well as a Rawlings Gold Glove in 2007. Meanwhile, McPherson made his debut with the LA Angels of Anaheim in 2004 and is now playing third base for the Florida Marlins.

The Wilmington Sharks are members of the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. In 2008 the Sharks drew more than 50,000 fans to the “Shark Tank” for an average of 1,650 per game. For more information on tickets, merchandise or advertising opportunities please call (910) 343.5621.