Top prospects come to top institution: Case to serve as winter
training facility for Cleveland Indians
Player development partnership one of the first
in the country between a Major League Baseball team and its hometown
university
January 7 , 2005 | For more information: Creg
Jantz 216-368-6517
 Professional baseball is coming to Case Western Reserve University.
In one of the first player development collaborations between a Major
League Baseball team and its hometown university, Case announced today
a unique partnership with the Cleveland Indians to serve as the workout
home of the team’s winter development program.
“Case always has been well known as one of the top research universities
in the country,” said Michael Ruffner, Case associate vice president
for marketing and communications and university spokesperson. “This
new partnership with the Cleveland Indians helps cement our standing
as a national leader in student life as well as student learning.”
“This partnership reaches far beyond helping the Indians’ top
prospects prepare for spring training,” Ruffner continued. “This
partnership, in the near future, will benefit our student-athletes,
the entire undergraduate and graduate student population and the Cleveland
community.”
The first benefit of Case’s most recent
community partnership will occur this spring.
The Indians and Jacobs Field will play host to
the Case baseball team’s home game against
Oberlin College on April 20.
Future collaborations between the Indians and Case likely will include
the use of Case's new baseball stadium for Indians-run community clinics,
local and national advertising and sponsorship and branding opportunities.
“We are delighted to serve as the host site of the Indians’ winter
development program,” said David Hutter, Ph.D., Case interim athletic
director. “Our baseball team will be excited and thrilled to play
a game at Jacobs Field. In addition, we look forward to having the Indians
on campus for other activities.”
The four-week (January 3-28, 2005) baseball development program, involving
around 20 of the Indians top prospects and current Major League players
in town in January, will be held in Case’s Veale Convocation,
Recreation and Athletic Center. The Veale Center is a 78,000 square
foot facility that was completed in 1997. The building is named for
Tinkham Veale II, a 1937 graduate of the Case School of Applied Science
and former student-athlete.
The Indians will use the six-lane, 200-meter indoor track with four
multi-purpose courts for strength and conditioning, speed and agility
and long-toss throwing workouts. In addition, they will use the Veale
Center’s Olympic-size pool and newly renovated weight room.
“The world-class facility at Case Western Reserve University
provides the necessary space our players require during this vital training
period prior to spring training,” said John Farrell, Indians director
of player development. “We are excited to be able to partner with
Case in the use of this facility as well as other business and community
events. Access to this building provides our players with a major league-quality,
indoor facility that will allow our players to properly train for the
fast-approaching 2005 season."
For information on player media availability
and training times, contact the Indians Media
Relations Department at 216.420.4380. For information
regarding the Veale Center, contact Case’s
Sports Information Office at 216.368.6517.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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