Cal Ripken Jr. will not make an appearance at the Augusta GreenJackets' Fan Appreciation Night next week.

The team announced earlier this month that Ripken, who owns the team as part of the Ripken Baseball Group, planned on making his second trip to Augusta this year.

"There was a scheduling conflict," GreenJackets general manager Nick Brown said. "We tried to look at a few other dates and see if we could get him on another night, but it didn't work out."

Ripken appeared at the home opener April 16 and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He also held a news conference announcing he and Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver had made progress with Gov. Sonny Perdue and that the team hoped to break ground on a stadium in downtown by this fall. No further announcements have been made since.

WASHED OUT : Monday's game against the Savannah Sand Gnats was postponed after rain left the field in unplayable condition. It will be made up today as part of a doubleheader starting at 5:05 p.m.

FADING FAST: Augusta's chances at a fourth consecutive postseason bid might have died during a dismal road trip last week. The team won only two of six games on the road and fell to four games behind first place Asheville with eight games remaining. Augusta needs Asheville to play sub-.500 ball the rest of the season to have a shot at clinching a playoff spot.

HE'S AN ALL-STAR : Josh Mazzola has been voted a 2009 South Atlantic League All-Star. The award, announced Monday by the team, made Mazzola the league's top first baseman this season.

"It's a great honor," Mazzola said. "You work hard all year, and (manager Dave Machemer ) put me in the lineup and the hard work paid off."

Mazzola's biggest contribution has come in the RBI department, where he has led the league for most of the season. The 23-year-old Californian, who signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent last year, said he hasn't kept a close eye on the RBI totals.

"I know I haven't had (an RBI) in a while, so I may not lead the league anymore," he said.

Mazzola's 93 RBI led the league by 10 entering Monday's games.

NEXT YEAR: The GreenJackets have released details of their 2010 schedule.

The team opens the season on the road in Greensboro during Masters Week on April 8. The Charleston RiverDogs come to town April 16 for the first game at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

Unlike 2009, the GreenJackets will face every opponent in the league. The SAL will move from 16 teams to 14 next season when the Bowling Green Hot Rods and the Lake County Captains move to the Midwest League.

INJURY UPDATE : Catcher Johnny Monell returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing four days with a concussion he suffered Aug. 21. The 23-year-old went 4 for 8 with a home run and three RBI over the weekend.

Backup catcher Matt Klimas remained on the reserve list over the weekend after a collision at the plate three weeks ago left him with a separated shoulder.

Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.