01/30/2004 9:12 AM - The Kansas City T-Bones are excited to announce that they will be taking part in an exhibition game May 14th, 2004, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. This exhibition game will be something completely different from anything heretofore seen at CommunityAmerica Ballpark: a chance for the T-Bones to take the field against a talented team of ex-professional Japanese baseball players in a game that will be televised back to Japan.

The 4:00 pm game, six days prior to the home opener, will pit the T-Bones against a team of all-stars assembled by the International Baseball Academy. The game will be filmed by the Tokyo Broadcasting Station and will be shown back in Japan. Tickets for this game will be available at the T-Bones box office, which opens April 17th, and are also included with all season ticket packages.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for our players to measure themselves against some of the best and get a little bit of international exposure,” said T-Bones General Manager Rick Muntean. “We are excited to have this opportunity and look forward to the challenge.”

In player-related notes, the T-Bones have also re-signed RHP Erik Grunwald (LS-3), a member of their 2003 rotation. Grunwald, who went 5-5 for the T-Bones in 2003 while posting a 4.25 ERA in 12 starts, will likely be one of the members of their 2004 rotation. “Erik was a very solid member of our staff last year,” T-Bones Manager Al Gallagher remarked about the University of California-Riverside product. “And with the chance to work with our new pitching coach Danny Jackson, he should be able to improve significantly.” Grunwald was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Seattle Mariners, for whom he advanced as high as the California League before being released.

After a successful inaugural campaign, the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League are eagerly preparing for their second season, which starts May 20th against the Lincoln Saltdogs at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. For information about creative sponsorship packages, season tickets, and group outings, please call the T-Bones front office at 913/328-BALL, or visit the T-Bones web site at www.tbonesbaseball.com. The Kansas City T-Bones… Fun Well Done!