Florida Marlins to host New Zealand Blackcaps

Prior to the May 17th Marlins Game, Cricket’s Renowned Athletes Meet at the Mound with the Marlins.

WHAT: During the May 17th MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks the Marlins will welcome players from the New Zealand BLACKCAPS to the US and engage each other in their respective sports.
The BLACKCAPS will:

o Attend batting practice and compare the differences in technique (batting/bowling versus pitching), equipment (bats and balls)
o BLACKCAPS players, Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram will be throwing the first pitch at the game
o Additionally the Marlins and BLACKCAPS will be exchanging signed jerseys and generally discussing the sport.

This will be a great visual and opportunity to collect b-roll and live interviews

INTERVIEWS: Don Lockerbie, CEO, USA Cricket and New Zealand BLACKCAP players
WHEN: Monday, May 17, 2010, 5:00 pm (batting practice), 7:00 pm (first pitch)

WHERE: Sun Life Stadium
- 2269 Dan Marino Boulevard, Miami Gardens

ABOUT: USA Cricket and New Zealand Cricket recently launched a strategic partnership with a historic Twenty20 international series between the BLACKCAPS and Sri Lanka in Lauderhill, FL May 21-23rd.

Although still an embryonic sport in the USA cricket is the second most popular sport in the world, only behind football (soccer). With approximately 15-million cricket fans living in the USA the goal of the strategic partnership between New Zealand Cricket and USA Cricket is to generate awareness and establish a fan base and appetite for the sport.

Beginning May 17, 2010 the sport of cricket will invade south Florida kicking off with an event with the Marlins, May 17th. The Central Broward County Regional Park Cricket Stadium in Lauderhill, FL the only ICC approved cricket stadium in North America will host the international matches. The stadium holds up to 20,000 people and was completed in November 2007. Matches are scheduled with the inaugural game set for Friday, May 21st with matches to follow on Saturday, May 22nd and Sunday May 23rd.

Ticket information and pricing is available on www.usaca.org and tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com