3-31: - Minors Stuff

Bisons:

    CF Fernando Martinez has been officially reassigned to AAA-Buffalo for the start of the 2010 season.

Here's the official press release:

The New York Mets today announced that they have optioned OF FERNANDO MARTINEZ to the Buffalo Bisons.
Martinez, 21, challenged for a big league job by hitting .383 (18-47) with four doubles, two triples, three home runs and 11RBI in 21 spring exhibition games with the Mets. He led New York this spring with nine extra-base hits and 11RBI and was second on the club with 18 hits.

Martinez debuted with the Bisons in 2009 at 20 years and 135 days old, becoming the youngest player to play for the Bisons in 16 seasons. He hit .290 (51-176) with 16 doubles, eight home runs and 28RBI in 45 games with the Herd before earning a pair of big league promotions. At the time of his first call up to the Mets on May 26, he led the International League with 25 extra-base hits.

Martinez hit .176 (16-91) with one home run and eight RBI in 29 games for the Mets last season before being placed on the disabled list on July 9 with a knee injury. He did not return in 2009.

This past off season, Martinez was named the Most Valuable Player of the Caribbean Series. He led Leones del Escogido –managed by Ken Oberkfell- to a Dominican Winter League Championship before hitting .348 with two home runs and four RBI in six games of the Caribbean Series

Anthem Auditions:

The Buffalo Bisons will hold their annual National Anthem auditions Friday, April 2 (12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) and Saturday, April 3 (10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.).


All singers will perform the Star Spangled Banner a cappella in front of the home dugout at Coca-Cola Field

The tryouts are open to the public with no pre-scheduled times. For more information, singers can call the Bisons at (716) 846-2080.

Media interested in covering the event may enter through the Pettibones Grille entrance.


B-Mets:

The Binghamton Mets “Welcome Back B-Mets Dinner” is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center (formerly the Binghamton Regency) in downtown Binghamton. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Join Buddy and Ballwinkle and the rest of the 2010 team at 5:30 PM for a “Meet the Mets” autograph reception. Dinner will be served promptly at 7:00 PM followed by a special baseball program and team introductions by the new manager and former New York Mets infielder, Tim Teufel.


Baseball fans of all ages will find this home-run event full of fun and excitement — with opportunities to meet future stars of Citi Field, collect autographs and win Binghamton Mets memorabilia.

Tickets are on sale now through the Binghamton Mets and will extend until Monday, April 5 at NOON. Tickets may be purchased by calling (607) 723-METS (6387) or in person at NYSEG Stadium during normal business hours. They WILL NOT be sold at the door of the event. Very few tickets remain.

All of the proceeds from this event will go towards providing scholarships for local youths to attend the Binghamton Mets Players Camp to be held at NYSEG Stadium during the season.