FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 4, 2009

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgc.edu

Former Tiger named to USA Baseball World Cup team

USA Baseball has announced that Durham Bulls pitcher and former South Georgia College Tiger Jason Childers has been named to the United States team that will compete at the 2009 International Baseball Federation (IBAF) Baseball World Cup in Europe from Sept. 9-27.

Childers appeared in a team-leading 52 games for the Bulls this season, compiling a 9-5 record with five saves for the Bulls. Childers is in his second season with the Bulls, his first since 2006. He is excited to be asked to represent the United States in this tournament.

"It feels great. I'm very happy to be representing the country. It's a real honor that I'm looking forward to," Childers said.

Childers spent two years with South Georgia College, pitching for Scott Sims’ Tigers from 1993-1994. He transferred to Kennesaw State University where he continued his playing career. Childers was named First Team All America in 1996 – the same year he helped Kennesaw State win a national championship.

In 1997, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Childers as an undrafted free agent that June. He has worked his way up the minor league ladder, eventually earning a shot in the big leagues with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006. Childers spent the first month of the season with Tampa, where he went 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA in five games before going to Triple A Durham.

In 2008, Childers played with the Triple A Charlotte Knights of the Chicago White Sox organization, and made an appearance in the 2008 Triple A All Star Game.

The World Cup Team will first gather in Cary, N.C. at the USA Baseball National Training Complex where it will train until Sept. 6, including several games against the Canadian World Cup Team.

“We are excited to see good things continue to happen to Jason. He is an outstanding baseball player and an even better person. We wish him all the best in the Baseball World Cup later this month,” said SGC head coach Scott Sims.
 

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.