SwampDogs Welcome Miss Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - May 31 is not Opening Day at J.P. Riddle Stadium, but thanks to an appearance by some local royalty, the second home game of the season will have all the luster of the first.
Tiffanie Danielle Wagner, the reigning Miss Fayetteville, will grace the Swamp with her presence as the Fayetteville SwampDogs host divisional opponent Columbia. Wagner, 20, will sing the National Anthem prior to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
"I've always wanted to get to a game and I thought this would be a great opportunity to do so," Wagner said. "I'm just going to try to get out there and meet a bunch of people."
Wagner triumphed over seven other local hopefuls in this spring's Miss Fayetteville pageant, which came to a conclusion March 29 at the Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University.
Athletics and fitness are passions for Wagner, and she plans on using her newly won position to encourage people to engage in more physical activity. Curtailing childhood obesity is her focus.
"Many of my family members have diabetes," Wagner said, "so I want to make sure others don't have to suffer in the same way."
Belting out the "Star-Spangled Banner" in the Swamp will function as a tune-up of sorts for Wagner, who will compete in the Miss North Carolina competition in June. Her singing voice helped her claim Miss Fayetteville and she takes great pleasure in contributing to the atmosphere at a live sporting event.
Wagner has a message for all Cape Fear baseball fans: "Enjoy Fayetteville and go SwampDogs!"
The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 12th season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL is certified by Major League Baseball and gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league Web site at www.coastalplain.com.
To reserve your tickets today, contact the Fayetteville SwampDogs at (910) 426-5900. For more information on the team, log onto www.goswampdogs.com.
Contact:Matt Gajtka
(910) 426-5900