Miss Texas United States And CPL Retail Energy Hit The Mound

Corpus Christi, TX (04/03/2012) - Opening Day of the Corpus Christi Hooks 8th season of AA baseball is Thursday, April 5, 2012. Fans and players alike are counting the days until they can head to the ballpark for exciting baseball, peanuts, hotdogs and family fun! In true Hooks fashion, the organization always provides extra attractions for their fans to enjoy on game day. Hooks Opening Day 2012 is no different. CPL Retail Energy and the Corpus Christi Hooks have invited Miss Texas United States, Whitney Miller, to Whataburger Field to throw out the first pitch and for a meet and greet with Hooks fans.

"Opening Day is exciting for baseball fans across the country," said Jim Steffes, CPL Retail Energy's Vice President. "To be joined on the pitching mound with Miss Texas United States is quite an honor and adds to the fan-fare of game day!"

Whitney Miller, a twenty-two year old Corpus Christi native, graduated from Flour Bluff High School and is currently attending Texas State University-San Marcos. She is a communications major with a double minor in mass communications and business administration. Miller, representing Corpus Christi, was crowned Miss Texas United States in Galveston, on October 9, 2011. Miller enjoys reading, surfing, cooking and traveling and this summer she will represent Texas at the Miss United States pageant.

"I'm very excited to support my hometown Corpus Christi Hooks on opening day," said Miss Texas United States, Whitney Miller. "I know it will be a lot of fun and I look forward to it! Go Hooks!"

Both Jim Steffes of CPL Retail Energy and Miss Texas United States will head to the mound at 6:55 pm to throw out the first pitch of the 2012 Hooks baseball season. Immediately following, Miss Texas United States will be at the CPL Retail Energy booth meeting fans, signing autographs and taking photos from 7-8 pm.

"We look forward to having Whitney out to the ballpark on Opening Night," Hooks VP Adam Nuse said. "The first night of our Texas League season is always special and our fans will enjoy interacting with her."

For opening day ticket information, visit www.hooksbaseball.com .

About CPL Retail Energy:

CPL Retail Energy is part of the Direct Energy family of companies, one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy with its CPL Retail Energy and WTU Retail Energy brands, is the third-largest retail electricity provider in Texas. It owns three power generation facilities and a series of energy related services companies - including One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating serving the Coastal Bend. CPL Retail Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 states and 10 provinces in Canada. For more information, visit www.cplretailenergy.com .

About the Texas United States Pageant:

The Texas United States Pageant is produced by Crowned Productions Unlimited?® and is the Official Recruiter for the United States Pageant®. Crowned Productions Unlimited® is in its third year of producing the Miss Teen, Miss and Ms Texas United States Pageant for single ladies ages 16-55. The mission of the Texas United States Pageant is to crown beautiful TEXAS girls with a love and passion for community service. Once crowned the titleholders have the opportunity to choose a platform of their choice to represent and promote during their reign. The Texas United States Pageant gives young women the chance to gain interview, presentation and many more skills that will help them be successful throughout their lives. For more information or to book a titleholder for an appearance, please visit www.texasuspageant.org .

About Corpus Christi Hooks Baseball:

Corpus Christi Hooks Baseball is in its eighth year. The Hooks are members of the eight-team Texas League and Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Reid Ryan, oldest son of baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, is founder and CEO of the Hooks and Round Rock Express. Hooks Help was established in 2006 to positively impact Coastal Bend citizens. It revolves around the desire to serve through youth-, education and charity-related initiatives.

For further information, please contact:

Shabina Zakaria
CPL Retail Energy
1-713-877-3611
Shabina.zakaria@directenergy.com

Direct Energy® is a subsidiary of Centrica plc. All rights reserved. Centrica was created following the demerger of British Gas plc in 1997 and is now a leading supplier of energy and related services. To read more about Centrica plc please visit www.centrica.com .