A host of Major League Baseball
players will step up to the plate in Aruba for the Sidney Ponson and Calvin
Maduro Celebrities Softball Game 2002 Event on November 2nd.  Non-stop
action including a Little League baseball game, a Home Run Derby and a grand
finale celebrity softball game will take place at the Joe Laveist Sports
Park in San Nicolas.  Aruban-born Ponson and Maduro, along with Joselito
Alberts, started this event to raise funds for Aruba`s “Cas pa Hubentud”
(Home For Youth) Foundation, which provides a caring home for
underprivileged children between the ages of twelve and twenty-one.

“Aruba is honored to be the home for this charitable softball game and is
excited to host these outstanding athletes,” said Edison Briesen, Aruba`s
Minister of Tourism and Transportation. “Our pleasing weather and crystal
clear waters will serve as the perfect backdrop for this enjoyable event.”

In addition to Ponson and Maduro, professional baseball players such as,
Hensley Muellens, Maglio Ordoñez, Freddy Garcia, Randall Simon, Pedro
Martinez, Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, Scott Erickson, David Segui, Marty
Cordova, Radhames Dijkhoff, as well as, future hall-of-famer and Cleveland
Indians hitting coach Eddy Murray are expected to arrive a day earlier to
meet their fans and sign autographs.  The best baseball players on the
island will be selected to compete against the MLB players and celebrities.

“Calvin and I are enthusiastic about the event and are confident it will be
a great time for both Arubans and visitors alike,” said Ponson. “We are
thrilled about having this opportunity to give back to the children of
Aruba.”

Tickets will be sold at the stadium gate for $6.00 (adults) and $4.00
(children).  For more information, please email Joselito Alberts at
[email protected].

Aruba is a vacationer`s paradise located in the heart of the Dutch
Caribbean, 15 miles north of Venezuela and only two and a half hours by air
from Miami. Ideally located outside the hurricane belt, Aruba boasts great
weather, cooling trade winds and friendly people. For more information on
planning a trip to Aruba visit our website at www.aruba.com.

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