myphl17 and the Philadelphia Phillies jointly announced today that the 2008 World Champions will be returning to the myphl17 airwaves beginning with the 2009 season. Under a new three-year contract, myphl17 will televise 45 regular season games and three pre-season games. While a complete broadcast schedule has not yet been finalized for the 2009 season, the Phillies home opener is slated for April 5th.

This marks the third time WPHL-TV has been home to the Phillies. WPHL began carrying Phillies baseball games in 1971 and was the broadcast home for the team until 1982. The Phillies returned to the station in 1993, when they again made it to the World Series, and remained with WPHL-TV until 1998.

“We are ecstatic to welcome this Philadelphia institution back to our station,” said Vice President and General Manager Vince Giannini. “WPHL-TV was the home of the Phillies when they won their first World Championship in 1980, when they went to the World Series in 1993, and we’re very happy to welcome them back as the current World Series Champions.”

“myphl17 has proved time and again that they are the right partner to provide quality programming for Phillies fans who choose to watch the game from home,” said Phillies Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising Sales David Buck. “As an independent station, they have the ability to provide prime time coverage that will be complemented with the right balance of advertising and marketing support and we’re excited to have them on board again as our television rights holder.”

In addition to the spring training and regular season games, myphl17 will carry the weekly W.B. Mason Behind the Pinstripes show before each Sunday Phillies broadcast.

Source: Philadelphia Phillies

Olympian and U.S. Trials Champion Ryan Hall seeks American win in Boston

In its 24th year as the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial today announced the signing of Olympic marathoner and American half marathon record holder Ryan Hall for the 113th running of the race on April 20, 2009.

The fastest American marathoner in 2007 and 2008, Hall has quickly proven himself as one of the best distance runners in the world. He seeks to become the first American winner of the race since Grey Meyer in 1983.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to compete on the John Hancock elite team at the 2009 Boston Marathon,” said Hall. “The Boston Marathon is the granddaddy of the World Marathon Majors, to win here would mean as much to me as winning any marathon in the world, including the Olympic Games. To win in Boston would show the world that American distance running is indeed back to the days of Salazar, Beardsley, and Rodgers. I hope that I can contribute to bringing American marathoning back to the forefront. There is no better place to do that than Boston. What is done in Boston lives on for all time.”

A 2005 Stanford graduate and three-time All American, Hall quickly found his greatest potential on the roads. In late 2006, he set the American 20K record at the World Championships and in early 2007 broke the 21-year-old American half marathon record at the U.S. Championships. His 59:43 win marked the first time an American had ever broken the one-hour barrier.

Turning to the marathon, Hall made his debut on the London course in 2007 and stayed with the African leaders until the final miles. His 2:08:24 was the fastest debut ever by an American. A few months later at the U.S. Olympic Trials, he set a course record as he cruised to a nearly two-minute lead over one of the best U.S. fields ever assembled.

Continuing his meteoric rise Hall returned to London in advance of the Olympics and ran a remarkable 2:06:17, making him the second fastest American of all time. At the Olympics Hall placed 10th, and although he had some disappointment in that showing, he is young and eager to build on his potential.

“Ryan’s Boston Marathon debut will be a highly anticipated performance throughout the sports world,” said Executive Director Guy Morse, of the Boston Athletic Association, which oversees the race. “As an American Olympian recruited by our principal sponsor John Hancock Financial, his commitment to race in Boston, combined with his record of outstanding performances, are indicators that he will add great excitement to the 113th Boston Marathon as he challenges some of the world’s best athletes on the world’s most famous course.”

Hall is married to professional runner Sara Bei Hall and the couple resides in Mammoth Lakes, California. The Halls are active with charitable groups such as Team World Vision. They worked on a campaign this year, “More Precious than Gold,” that raised nearly a million dollars to help bring clean water wells and irrigation systems to poor communities in Zambia.

Source: John Hancock Financial

Main Event Features Battle of Two World Champs

Table Mountain Casino brings a night of hard-hitting action Tuesday, November 18th, to boxing fans with the much-anticipated return of World Championship Boxing, presented by Roy Englebrecht Events. The audience will be geared up for a night of rousing excitement with the Main Event that features two powerhouse champions, former USBA Featherweight Champion Martin Honorio (24-4, 12 KO’s) v. former NABA Champion Frankie Archuleta (25-5, 14 KO’s). The former USBA champ, Martin Honorio, takes to the ring in place of Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez who was injured in a sparring match late last week. The Main Event will pit Honorio of Mexico City against Archuleta from New Mexico. Both champion warriors have records that will mix it at the highest level, but only one will leave the ring as the IBA Jr. Lightweight Champion of the World.

Boxing fans will want to stay in their seats for the “Co-Main Event”, another Championship bout that will feature two tough-as-nails female combatants, both so far undefeated. But all that will change in the ring this Tuesday night when Kaliesha West (10-0, 2 KO’s) and Ava Knight (4-0-2, 2 KO’s) trade blows for the IFBA North American Bantamweight Belt.

“We just turned up the heat when we added the North American Bantamweight Belt battle and brought Kaliesha and Ava to the ticket,” said John Mayewski, President and CEO of Table Mountain Casino. “Central Valley fans will be treated to an event they’ll not soon forget with these world title bouts. We’re also pleased to present an undercard that features a well-known local fighter with a loyal following. Table Mountain Casino is committed to offering the best entertainment value for our guests and this event promises to be another sell-out.”

The five bout card will also feature undefeated Aaron Martinez of Los Angeles who will face Hilario Lopez of Nampa, Idaho in a six-round welterweight bout. Martinez comes in at 8-0 and Lopez at 10-6.

Middleweight action will see Fresno’s own Loren Myers (6-4 2 KO’s) as he faces Orange County’s Derrick Thomas (2-5 1K0).

In a four round bout, two fighters will make their debut in a match that features Jorge Roque of Hayward and Francisco Andrade of Stockton.

Tickets for the Tuesday, November 18th event are on sale now at tmcasino.com or by calling (559) 822-7777. Doors open at 6:00 pm., fights at 7:00 p.m.

Ticket prices are $55 VIP, $45 Gold, $35 Reserved, $25 General Admission. Members of The Club save $5, Platinum Members save $10. No refunds, cameras or videos. Must be 18 years or older to attend.

Source: Table Mountain Casino