May2014

OGE Energy Corp. to hold naming rights to ASA Hall of Fame Field

May 30, 2014

Oklahoma City,

 

For Immediate Release: 5/29/14

 

Contact:           Kathleen O’Shea, OGE             405-553-3395

 

OGE Energy Corp. to hold naming rights to ASA Hall of Fame Field

Official OGE Energy Field launch takes place May 29

 

OKLAHOMA CITY–OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE: OGE) today announced that it has entered into a 20-year agreement with the Oklahoma City All Sports Association and the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball for naming rights to the stadium field at the ASA Hall of Fame Softball Complex.

 

The new name for the field, OGE Energy Field at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, will be launched May 29 during the opening day of the 2014 NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS). Sean Trauschke, OGE Energy President and CFO, will throw out the first pitch at 6 p.m. on May 29.

 

“The ASA complex, with the fields and the stadium, has a significant economic impact for the communities we serve and showcases our state as a leader in women’s athletics,” Trauschke said.  “Through our commitment, we’re not only helping maintain this important asset but also supporting the many local communities who take part in events here.”

 

The ASA Hall of Fame Complex is widely regarded as the finest softball facility in the nation and even the World. With four fields and many other amenities, the complex has played host to the most recognized softball competitions in the world, including USA teams that represent the nation in international competitions.

 

“On behalf of the entire ASA/USA Softball community, we want to thank OGE for stepping up to the plate to support our venue and all levels of softball played here,” said ASA/USA Softball Executive Director Craig Cress.  “The current and future improvements at the facility are due to OGE’s support, the City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City All Sports, along with several other community entities and leaders.  The vision of all parties for the future of our sport is exceptional.”

 

The complex draws more than 120,000 fans a year to approximately 30 events with more than 400 teams from over 25 states. The NCAA WCWS draws more than 75,000 spectators from around the nation, with ESPN coverage during the seven-day event.

 

“In 1990, Oklahoma City All Sports first successfully secured the NCAA Women’s College World Series by aligning with corporate entities willing to join as community partners”, said Oklahoma City All Sports Association Executive Director, Tim Brassfield. “This agreement with OGE Energy is the most significant step to help provide the student-athletes a world-class facility.”

 

The agreement also calls for OGE Energy to work with the ASA on a capital improvement plan to incorporate energy efficient and sustainable technology and practices within the field and the ASA complex.

 

“We want the field to serve not only as an entertainment venue but also as an educational platform on energy efficiency stewardship for all who visit here, especially young people,” Trauschke said.

 

Upgrades include improvements to the dugouts and locker rooms as well as building a new media center and pressbox, adding suites and a 4,800-seat expansion as a part of the overall plan.

 

OGE Energy is the parent company of Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, a regulated electric utility serving approximately 810,000 customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas.  In addition, OGE holds a 26.7 percent limited partner interest and a 50 percent general partner interest of Enable Midstream, created by the merger of OGE's Enogex LLC midstream subsidiary and the pipeline and field services businesses of Houston-based CenterPoint Energy.

 

About ASA 

The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 76 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 165,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than 2.5 million. For more information on the ASA, visithttp://www.asasoftball.com/. 

About USA Softball 

USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions. The USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won nine World Championship titles including the last seven consecutive as well as claimed six World Cup of Softball titles. For more information about USA Softball, please visit http://www.usasoftball.com/. 

 

Julie Bartel

ASA/USA Softball

Director of Marketing & Communications

2801 NE 50th Street

Oklahoma  City, OK 73111

 

405-425-3463 - work

405-203-4645 - cell

jbartel@softball.org

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