Johnson getting call up from Pelicans

MYRTLE BEACH -- The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, today announced the resignation of General Manager North Johnson, who is leaving the club to become the new GM of the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett, GA.

"In what has been an extremely difficult decision for me and my family, I have accepted another position that will offer me an amazing opportunity to advance my career," Johnson said. "This new opportunity is one that was impossible to turn down.

"Myrtle Beach has become home and a place that I did not anticipate leaving. The community has been wonderful throughout our time here, and the relationships that I have built are ones that I will always cherish. Night in and night out at BB&T Coastal Field, Pelicans fans reminded me of my love for this industry and my position. This is not a decision I took lightly, but I know that the Pelicans are in good hands with the amazing staff we have assembled and they will continue to strive to be the best franchise in Minor League Baseball."

Greenberg Sports Group (GSG), which operates the Pelicans and the State College (PA) Spikes of the Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League, has already launched a national search to identify candidates for the vacant position and expects to have a new General Manager in place in early February.

"On behalf of our ownership group, front office staff, business partners and fans, I would like to thank North for his outstanding contribution to the success we have built with the Pelicans," said team Chairman & Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg. "But North's departure will in no way affect the fun, affordable, family entertainment experience of Pelicans' games at BB&T Coastal Field. We have an experienced, dedicated and fan-friendly staff remaining in place and we will complement them with an equally experienced, dedicated and fan-friendly General Manager."

Johnson, a 32-year Minor League Baseball veteran, joined the Pelicans in September 2006 and guided the club through a successful three-year run, which included the franchise's two best single-season attendance marks in 2008 and '09, an increased marketing and sales presence on the Grand Strand, a re-dedicated in-game entertainment package, numerous capital improvements to BB&T Coastal Field, and the hosting of the headline event in club history, the 2008 Carolina/California League All-Star Game. Johnson also helped the Pelicans land the All-Star Game for a second time in three seasons, as Myrtle Beach will host the event on June 22, 2010.

North has spent the past 24 seasons as a minor league General Manager, beginning with a 17-year tenure leading the Carolina League's Kinston (NC) Indians from 1987-2003. In 2004, he moved cross country to take over as GM of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League, a position he held for three seasons before joining the Pelicans.

Pelicans' 2010 ticket packages, including season tickets, mini-plans, 11-game flex books and a variety of group outing experiences can now be reserved for the upcoming 2010 season, which opens at BB&T Coastal Field on Thursday, April 8. In addition, tickets are also on sale for all 70 Pelicans' home games and the headline event of the summer on the Grand Strand, the 2010 Carolina League/California League All-Star Game on June 22. To order tickets or for additional ticket information fans can call (843) 918-6000 or visit MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.