The Intercounty Baseball League is pleased to announce the inaugural New Era All-Star Classic, an event which will feature the top players from the IBL and the La Ligue de Baseball Senior Elite du Quebec (LBSEQ).

The first two games of the series will take place at Ottawa Stadium this Saturday, August 21at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 22 at 2:00 p.m. The series will conclude in Thetford Mines, P.Q. on Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5.

"There is no shortage of exceptional baseball talent in Quebec and Ontario", said IBL Commissioner Joe O'Neill.

"This is a great opportunity for both provinces to showcase the talents in each League. The talent that is on display all season long in each League should set the stage for what hopefully will become a friendly but very competitive long term rivalry. This will be great for all fans."

Seven of the nine IBL teams will be represented this weekend - only the Barrie Baycats and Brantford Red Sox players will be absent as they are currently competing for the IBL's Jack and Lynne Dominico Championship Trophy. Among the players expected to involved will be former league MVPs Sean Reilly, Frankie Hare, Jeff Pietraszko and newly named Rookie of the Year and Quebec native Andy St. Gelais of the London Majors. The full IBL roster will be announced by Thursday.

Tickets for the New Era All-Star Classic Series are available by calling the Ottawa Fat Cats ticket office at (613) 749-2020, or by going online at www.ottawafatcats.com.

For interviews or more information, contact:

Duncan MacDonald, Fat Cats GM at 613-749-2020 Commissioner Joe O'Neill at (519) 851-2600 For details on Team Quebec, contact Francois Lecuyer at (819) 612-0700.