Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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DECEMBER 21-27, 2016 UCW 21 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NATHAN WALLS, Public Informa on Specialist, City of Faye eville Corporate Communica ons Department, Contribu ng Writer. 433 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28301-5537 www.FayettevilleNC.gov (910) 433-1FAY (1329) /cityoffayettevillegovernment Insta Follow Your City on Social Media: Engaging You About Your City Government Engaging You About Your City Government Astros Sign Lease Agreement with City of Fayetteville Advanced Class A Carolina League affiliate will begin play in Fayetteville in 2019 The Houston Astros and the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina, have signed a 30-year lease agreement today, which will move the club's Class A Advanced affiliate to Fayetteville for the 2019 season and beyond. The lease was officially signed today in Fayetteville, with Astros Team President Reid Ryan, Buies Creek and Fayetteville General Manager David Lane, Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson and Carolina League President John Hopkins taking part in the ceremonies. "The Astros are excited to be affiliated with the City of Fayetteville. It's a city with rich history, friendly people and a background in baseball," said Ryan. "This agreement will be part of a dynamic revitalization of downtown Fayetteville, which will bring great crowds and a Major League environment for our players to develop. Player development is a huge part of the Astros success and Fayetteville will be a home for the club's top prospects as they make their way to the Major Leagues." "Thanks to the Houston Astros and the hard work of City Council and staff, big things are about to happen for Fayetteville," said Robertson. "I'm very proud to lead this renaissance that will bring about a quarter million people to our downtown for approximately 70 games a year, in addition to all of the new events and the new splash pad that will be housed in the stadium. The new stadium will serve as an economic development catalyst for the downtown area and Fayetteville as a whole." Earlier this offseason, the Astros announced a temporary agreement with Buies Creek, N.C., and Campbell University, which will play host to the Buies Creek Astros of the Carolina League for the 2017-18 seasons. Following 2018, the franchise will move to downtown Fayetteville, just a stone's throw from Fayetteville City Hall. The club will be rebranded in time for the move, with announcements on the rebranding efforts being released at a later date. This agreement will bring affiliated minor league baseball back to Fayetteville for the first time since 2000, when the Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals) were affiliated with the Cape Fear Crocs of the Class A South Atlantic League. Previously, the Fayetteville Generals, the Detroit Tigers Class A South Atlantic League affiliate, were in the city from 1987-1996. For more information, go to www.FayettevilleNC.gov/baseball. Mayor Nat Robertson and Astros Team President Reid Ryan Astros Team President Reid Ryan (left) and Mayor Nat Robertson (right) signing the 30-year lease agreement PLAY BALL! "Babe" Earned Nickname, Hit First Professional Home Run in Fayetteville Fayetteville is famously known as the city where George Herman Ruth Jr. earned the nickname "Babe" and hit his first professional home run. On March 7, 1914, Babe Ruth, playing for the Baltimore Orioles, hit a long home run in the last inning of an exhibition game at the Cape Fear Fair Ground, which was located on the current site of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, where Gillespie Street meets Southern Avenue. Ruth described the home run saying, "I hit it as I hit all the others, by taking a good gander at the pitch as it came up to the plate, twisting my body into a back-swing and then hitting it as hard as I could swing." Ruth later commented, "I got to some bigger places than Fayetteville after that, but darn few as exciting." (Credit: North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) Brad Loase Owner/Manager Peeca says: Time to Deck the Halls. My Daddy has the Help You Need! Call or email for details (910) 437-5959 • 815 Stamper Rd. • Fayetteville, NC 28303 brad.loase@expresspros.com UP & COM ING W EEKLY 'S DOUBLE HAM DOUBLE HAM DOUBLE HAM http://www.vickysbiscuitsandchicken.com 491-2681 128 Grove Street M-F - 6am-2:30pm Sat - 6am-2pm Sun - 7am-2pm "The name has changed but everything else is still the same."