Tides in the Major Leagues

The following 24 members of the 2009 Norfolk Tides also appeared on a major league roster during the 2009 regular season, and only outfielder Joey Gathright appeared with a major league club other than the
Orioles. (* designates made major league debut)

Attendance Report
Despite losing seven openings to rain in 2009, the Tides once again ranked among the leaders in total attendance in all of Minor League Baseball, finishing in the top 30 out of more than 175 franchises.

• April – 38,554 (4,819 average, 8 openings, 1 rainout)
• May – 50,408 (5,601 average, 9 openings, 3 rainouts)
• June – 96,644 (6,443 average, 15 openings, 1 rainout)
• July – 82,564 (6,351 average, 13 openings)
• August/September – 118,983

(5,949 average, 20 openings, 3 rainouts)

Season Total – 387,153 – 5,966

Admirals

The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play at the Norfolk Scope.

United Football League

This June the United Football League board granted conditional approval for Norfolk to host the league’s sixth team that will commence play in 2011.The board agreed that Virginia businessman Jim Speros will become the provisional Tidewater region team’s owner. Redskins legend Doug Williams, the MVP of Super Bowl XXII and the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, will take on the role of General Manager of the Norfolk team. The Norfolk team will face the Florida Tuskers, Hartford Colonials, Las Vegas Locos, Omaha Nighthawks, Sacramento Mountain Lions and additional potential expansion teams when the third United Football League season kicks off in 2011. To learn more about the UFL and buy tickets for the 2010 season visit the www.UFL-Football.com website.

Arena Lacrosse League

The formation of a new Arena Lacrosse League with proposed teams to be located in Norfolk and Hampton was announced by league founder and Commissioner Allan Harvie on June 22nd. The new league will be operated as a non-profit organization with all profits to be donated to virginians4haiti. The inaugural season, with games possibly at the Norfolk Scope, is scheduled to begin league play in January 2012 with playoffs ending in May 2012.

Northside Skate Park

This 21,000-square-foot park is mostly solid concrete construction. It is one of the largest skateboard bowls in Hampton Roads. Street-style elements including multiple stairs, ledges, banks and rail configurations are juxtaposed with open, flat areas for stunts and free skateboarding. This area will be integrated into the existing park and accented by colorful concrete stains and new landscaped sitting areas.

The public charettes held on Nov. 22, 2008, and Jan. 24, 2009, won support of Norfolk citizens. The skate park is expected to open in late summer, and will most likely be operated March 15 to Nov. 15 each year.