SMITHLIN HONORED AS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals are pleased to announce that star centerfielder and Fair Lawn resident, Zack Smithlin, will be honored as the 2005 Professional Athlete of the Year by the YMCA of Greater Bergen County. Smithlin will be presented with the award at the 40th Annual Bergen County YMCA Sports Award Banquet on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at the Colonial Inn in Norwood, NJ.

Smithlin, 25 years old, began his professional baseball career playing for the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 2003. He played an on-and-off role for the New Jersey Cardinals of the New York Penn League before being signed by the Jackals in 2004, where he has proven to be a valuable addition to the outfield. In 2004 Smithlin led the Jackals in stolen bases (14), and batted.300. During the Jackals playoff run for the 2004 Northeast League Championship, he proved to be indispensable in the clutch by hitting .378 with an impressive .452 on-base percentage. In 2005, Smithlin continued to excel in field and at the plate for the Jackals by ending the season hitting a career high .358 with 79 runs scored. Smithlin also had the distinction of representing the Jackals in centerfield at the 2005 Can-Am League all-star game.

Smithlin will be awarded at the Bergen County YMCA Sports Award Banquet with the county’s most outstanding high school, college, amateur and professional athletes, as well as coaches and other adults who have given exceptional service to the community. The event honors people throughout Bergen County who personify the YMCA’s mission of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. It also serves as a major fundraising event for YMCA scholarships that allow deserving children and adults to benefit from the Y’s numerous programs. Tickets for the Sports Award Banquet are $75. For more information call 201-487-4539.

The New Jersey Jackals began in 1998, playing at the Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. The Jackals are part of the Can-Am League of Professional Baseball. The stadium, which is flanked by the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center on its first-base side, has quickly earned the reputation as the home of champions as the Jackals have won four championship titles in eight years.

Call (973) 655-8025 or email info@jackals.com for New Jersey Jackals ticket information; all reserved seats are $7.