Countdown to Opening Day: Thunder Sets 1st Workout Tuesday

One week out from the season opener of the BNA Bank Cotton States Baseball League on Monday, June 1, the first official meeting of players has been set.  The Tupelo Thunder will hold an open workout at the Shannon High School Field at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26.  Press and public are invited as Coach Shawn Hairald sends (18) players to the diamond Tuesday, including (7) former, current or future ICC Indians and (9) Division I or Division II players.  Hairald is assisted on the Thunder by former pro Brian Reed of Amory and New Albany native and Mississippi Valley State grad Joel Gafford.

The BNA/CSBL schedule for the week will continue with a Golden Triangle Jet workout at Advantedge Sports in Tupelo on Thursday at 6:00 pm and a Tallahatchie Rascals practice at 3:00 pm on Friday afternoon at Legion Field at the Sportsplex in New Albany.  The Rascals will be the 1st team to take the newly renovated field.  Their practice will be followed immediately at 5:00 pm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new field for play.  The North Delta Dealers will hold their first workouts on Saturday and Sunday at a time and place yet to be determined.

All activity will culminate with the season opener of the BNA CSBL on Monday night at 6:00 with a double-header between the Tupelo Thunder and the Tallahatchie Rascals.  Monday night will be BNA Bank Family Night and bank president Bo Collins will be on hand to throw out the first pitch.  Local New Albany gospel group Paid In Full will perform the national anthem and between games.  Tickets are on sale now.  Call 662 365 5552.