Be There for Spring Training 2005! For the third consecutive year, the A's Society and LeMANS SUITES have teamed up to offer an exciting raffle for the baseball enthusiast and any person who enjoys fun in the sun. The prize is a one-week stay for two in March 2005 at the luxurious LeMANS SUITES in Lakeland, Florida and airfare from anywhere in the continental United States to Lakeland and back. In addition to a week (Saturday to Saturday) of free lodging in a completely furnished suite, the winner will receive two box seat tickets for every game the Detroit Tigers play in Lakeland-the team's Spring Training home-during the guests' stay. The tickets are located on the first row directly behind the Tigers dugout. Grapefruit League games for other teams-including the Phillies and Yankees-are within a short driving distance of Lakeland. Here's your chance to be in Florida for Spring Training in 2005!   For those with an interest in other "fun in the sun" activities, Disney World, Busch Gardens, Sea World, Universal Studios and Florida's fabulous beaches are only 45 minutes away. Do you love to golf? The IMPERIALAKES Country Club is nearby and accessible to LeMANS' guests.   You do not have to be a member of the A's Society to enter the raffle. Each entry costs $10.00, or three entries for $25.00. You can enter as frequently as you wish to increase your chances of winning. For each entry, your name will be placed on a slip of paper and placed in a container from which the winner's name will be drawn. The address to send entries is: A's Society Gift Shoppe, 6 North York Road, Hatboro, PA 19040. Mark "LeMANS" on the envelope to alert the staff that it is a raffle entry. Payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card (NO CASH). Entries can also be bought in person at the Gift Shoppe.   ONE TICKET $10.00   THREE FOR $25 -->

Raffle tickets can, in addition, be purchased during the October 16-17 A's Society Reunion Weekend. This year's Reunion celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1954 Athletics-the last of the Philadelphia Athletics' teams. A's players who have confirmed their attendance at the Reunion include Joe Astroth, Al Brancato, Joe DeMaestri, Art Dittmar, John Gray, Spook Jacobs, Eddie Joost, Lou Limmer, Bill Renna, Carl Scheib, Bobby Shantz, Ozzie Van Brabant, Leroy Wheat, Allie Clark, Bob Savage, and Bill Hockenbury. Players of other teams from that era who will be present are Mickey Vernon, Barney Schultz, Howie Bedell, Doug Clemens, Bob Miller, Maje McDonnell, and Virgil Trucks. Gus Zernial and Vic Power have expressed their intention to participate but will be unable to confirm their attendance until later in the summer. In addition, Pat Williams, Vice President of the Orlando Magic basketball team and a real Athletics devotee, will attend. As a special feature of the Reunion, some of these players will man a raffle booth at the October 17th Sunday breakfast to sell tickets. For more details on the Reunion, go to www.philadelphiaathletics.org.

The winner will be selected on January 15, 2005 at the Days Inn on Easton Road, Horsham, PA. Click here for more details and in the local papers. The winner does not have to be present to win. Past raffle winners have raved about their experience. This year's winners, Barry and Niaomi Bryson, called it a "wonderful trip," the memories of which "will never be forgotten."

This raffle is an important part of the A's Society's ongoing fund-raising campaign. Money raised will be used to help provide the Society with a firm financial foundation, and to support educational and other projects intended to preserve the memory and honor the accomplishments of the Philadelphia Athletics American League Baseball Club. Please support the Society generously in purchasing entries to the raffle.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Society member Carlton Hodges and his wife Elvena for offering the suite and Tigers baseball tickets. LeMANS SUITES are designed for the discriminating visitor who seeks tastefully furnished and comfortable lodging at a convenient location for less than the prices of a comparable hotel or motel room. Amenities include whirlpool tubs, maid service, free local calls, and a guest pass to Gold's Gym. LeMANS SUITES in Lakeland, Florida can be reached by phone at 1-800-647-7929, via fax at 1-863-644-7655, via e-mail at ormi58@aol.com or by mail at P.O. Box 6271, Lakeland, Florida, 33807-6271. Thank you Carlton and Elvena!

The A's Society also wishes to thank Steve Rhodeside of "Ads & Arts" in Bensalem, PA, and Vivian Werner, our webmaster at "Scanmaster" in Warminster, PA, for their sponsorship of the printing of the raffle tickets.

Confirmation of reservations by LeMANS SUITES is subject to a suite being available during the week chosen by the winner. Meals and car rental are not included as part of the prize package. Spring training schedules will be available in January-February.

Click here for more information on LeMans Suites.