Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 22, 1995                   TAG: 9509140099
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FROM WALNUT ... TO BASEBALL NUT.

Before the architect's pen ever touched paper, before Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium was ever a dream, there stood a mighty walnut tree.

This tree was king of the field that we now look out over in glorious splendor as Memorial Stadium.

On the day construction began, the mighty walnut tree offered on final seed to the precious ground. That seed was whisked away to Denver, Colo, and kept in a special incubator.

Today, over a year later, that final child of the mighty walnut has returned

to Salem.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Salem Avalanche are proud to present the Carolina League's newest mascot -

The Baseball Nut!

- Source: The Baseball Nut's opening night introduction