FROM:
Belz Enterprises
The Tower at Peabody Place/Suite 1400
100 Peabody Place
Memphis, TN 38103

CONTACT:       
Rubenstein Associates, Inc.
Public Relations, Tel: 212/843-9228            
Filomena Maiello/Dawn Rowan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Outlet World - Lakeland Hosts “Negro League Legends Autograph Signing”

Belz Factory Proceeds from Silent Auction Benefit Non-Profit Organizations

Lakeland, TN (November 2, 1999) -- Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland will host the “Negro League Legends Autograph Signing” to raise funds for the Old Timers Baseball Group and the Yesterday Negro League Foundation. The two groups support educational pursuits, memorial dedications and minority participation in baseball through in-person appearances from Negro League athletes of yesteryear.

The fund raiser will take place Saturday, November 13th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of The Memorabilia Store, located across from the food court in Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland.

For a mere $2 donation, shoppers can meet 13 baseball legends including 97-year-old hall-of-famer Bobby Robinson, as well as stellar ball players Joe B. Scott and Ike Brown. Old-time players from the Memphis Red Sox, Chicago American Giants, Indianapolis Clowns, Birmingham Black Barrons and Kansas City Monarchs will be on hand to autograph memorabilia and share stories with shoppers about playing with and against baseball heroes such as Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella.

Baseball enthusiasts will not want to miss the video presentation on the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro League. Adding to the excitement will be remarks from Lee Mavon, Executive Director of the Old Timers Baseball Group and Dennis Bose Bibble, President of the Yesterday Negro League.

Attendees can acquire incredible memorabilia in the silent auction held the day of the event. Items up for grabs include autographed Hank Aaron and “Big Bill” Matthews photographs and a Louisville Slugger baseball bat signed by all the baseball legends at the show.

“We encourage all sports aficionados to show support for these valuable organizations by attending the autograph signing,” says Andrew J. Groveman, President of the Factory Outlet Division of Belz Enterprises. “Throughout the benefit, shoppers may visit the sports card show set up throughout the mall, where they can buy, sell and trade every type of sports memorabilia imaginable.”

Located at 3536 Canada Road in Lakeland, Tennessee, Belz Factory Outlet World offers the finest shopping experience with key tenants such as Old Time Pottery, Nike, Bass Company Store, Big Dog Sportswear and Perfumania.

Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

With headquarters in Memphis, Tenn., Belz is a leading developer and manager of factory outlet malls nationwide. In addition to Lakeland, Belz Enterprises developed and manages factory outlet worlds in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Las Vegas, Nev. and Orlando, Fla., where the company also operates Belz Designer Outlet Centre. Belz developed and operates the 100 Oaks Mall in Nashville, Tenn., as well. Additionally, the company recently opened a Belz Factory Outlet World in historic St. Augustine, Fla. and it is developing the first enclosed factory outlet mall in Puerto Rico. Furthermore, Belz owns and manages a group of premier hotels, including the flagship Peabody Hotels in Memphis and Orlando.

 
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