Rowe Set to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch Tuesday

(Uptown Charlotte, NC) - Tommy Rowe, who won 25 games for the Charlotte O's over parts of three seasons, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Tuesday, April 22 as the Charlotte Knights return home to BB&T Ballpark to open a four-game homestand against the Durham Bulls. Rowe spent 11 seasons in the minors and won 88 games while compiling a 3.72 ERA in 291 games. He had 69 complete games over that span.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch of Tuesday's opener is set for 7:05 p.m. Tickets for Tuesday's game are available by phone at 704-357-8071, online at www.charlotteknights.com, or in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office.

Rowe, a member of the Charlotte O's from 1979-1980 and again in 1982, was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the second round of the 1977 draft. He pitched for the Miami Orioles of the Florida State League in 1977 -- his first professional season -- and posted a 10-6 record with a 3.26 ERA in 21 games (19 starts).

A native of the Bronx, Rowe made his Queen City debut in 1979 for the Charlotte O's and went 11-14 with a 5.01 ERA in 28 games that season. He appeared in nine games for the O's in 1980 and compiled a 4-2 record with a 2.76 ERA in nine games (eight starts). After spending the entire 1981 season with Triple-A Rochester, Rowe was back in Charlotte in 1982 and posted a 10-12 record with a 4.15 ERA in 24 starts.

Overall, Rowe won 25 games for the Charlotte O's and is tied for sixth all-time in Charlotte O's franchise history in wins. He also ranks fifth in games started (60), and ninth in innings pitched (389.1).

The Knights will also celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday and the first 1,000 fans will receive a Knights Water Bottle, courtesy of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services. As with every Tuesday game this season, the Knights will also host another "Twitter Tuesdays" at the ballpark, thanks to BB&T. Fans can expect great prizes through the team's official Twitter page. Fans can follow the Knights on Twitter @KnightsBaseball. Uptown Knights Are Better Than Ever!