The SwampDogs are excited to announce the addition of an exhibition game with Team USA presented by Family Foods-Taco Bell on Monday, June 25, 2012. Team USA is comprised of elite college talent from across the country and last played the SwampDogs in July of 2010.

This marks the fifth time in six years the SwampDogs have hosted an international team. The SwampDogs faced Team USA in three exhibitions and hosted Team Japan once.

The last contest saw over 2,100 fans pack J.P. Riddle Stadium to see Team USA’s 8-3 victory in a lightning-shortened affair.

“The SwampDogs have always been great hosts for our National teams and our International opponents,” said Team USA General Manager Eric Campbell. “We are excited about coming back to Fayetteville, as we know there will be a good buzz in the stadium and, as always, a competitive opponent on the field. Fayetteville is a good baseball town with passionate, supportive and educated fans.”

“Family Foods and Taco Bell have again teamed up with the Fayetteville SwampDogs to help bring Team USA to J.P. Riddle stadium for an exciting night of baseball,” said Ron Matthews, local Taco Bell franchisee and President of Family Foods. “Bringing more of the nation’s top collegiate baseball talent to Fayetteville is sure to add to the exciting 2012 schedule already in store for SwampDogs fans.  We are proud to be a part of SwampDogs baseball and everything it offers for families in our community.”

From the 2006 and 2008 rosters that faced the SwampDogs, Team USA has 21 of 44 players currently active in Major League Baseball. The 2010 team consists of eight players drafted in the first and second rounds of the 2011 MLB draft, including the number one overall pick, Gerrit Cole.

“We are extremely excited about this great opportunity once again,” said SwampDogs head coach/Director of Operations Darrell Handelsman. “Our players get to take on the best in the nation at the collegiate level and our fans get to see future major leaguers in action. It doesn’t get much better than that. We also want to thank our great partners with Family Foods-Taco Bell, they’re support has been invaluable. They are always eager to step up and help bring great events such as this to our community”.

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 12th season in the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players a chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had more than 930 alums drafted and 46 alums make their major league debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via twitter (at cpleague).