From Arkansas State University
The Arkansas State baseball team and supporters will gather to celebrate the
upcoming season at the 2013 Grand Slam Banquet Thursday, Feb. 7th at the
Northeast Arkansas Exposition and Conference Center on Highway 49. Doors open
for the event at 5 p.m.
Former Arkansas State pitcher and Major League
Baseball pitcher Matt Whiteside will be the keynote speaker. Whiteside spent 10
years pitching in the major leagues with Texas, San Diego, Philadelphia,
Atlanta, and Toronto.
A right-handed pitcher, Whiteside made his major
league debut for the Rangers on Aug. 5, 1992, at the age of 24. He went on to
pitch 20 innings of relief while posting a 1.93 ERA with four saves in his
first season. He finished his career with an 18-15 record while striking out 259
batters in 406 innings.
Whiteside is from Charleston, Mo., and played at
Arkansas State for coach Rich Johnson from 1987-90. He was a four-year letterman
at ASU and was inducted into the ASU Hall of Honor in 2007. He was the 1990
All-American South Player of the Year and holds the school record for most
complete games in a season with 11. He holds the school record for most innings
pitched in a single game with 13.
ASU head baseball coach Tommy Raffo
played against Whiteside in 1991 and the two have renewed their relationship
through the ASU baseball program. Whiteside currently lives in St. Louis, Mo.,
where he operates a baseball academy called the St. Louis Gamers.
The
night begins with a Red Wolves meet-and-greet where fans can get signed photos,
welcome the new team members and reconnect with veteran Red Wolves baseball
players. During this time fans will also get the opportunity to view and bid on
silent auction items. After the meet-and-greet, dinner will be served and the
program will begin. Fans will hear remarks from Coach Raffo, followed by a
presentation by Whiteside.
Tickets for the Grand Slam Banquet are on sale
now and can be obtained by contacting the Arkansas State baseball office at
870-680-4337. Proceeds for the event will benefit the Arkansas State baseball
program.
Several ticket options are available. Grand Slam tables are
$600 for 8 seats. Tickets for students and youth start at $25, and
individual/adult tickets are $100. For the second year, group and team rates
(minimum 20) are available with special pricing of $15 for players and $50 for
adults. The Heavy Hitter deal is $1,200 and includes eight tickets, four season
tickets and a special reception with Matt Whiteside. Parking for the event is
free
2013 Arkansas State Baseball Grand Slam
Banquet
Special Host: Matt Whiteside
Date: Thursday, February 7, 2013, 5
p.m. (doors open)
Location: Northeast Arkansas Exposition and Conference
Center
Parking: Northeast Arkansas Exposition and Conference Center
Adult
Tickets: $100
Youth Tickets (12 & under): $25
Students:
$25
Group/Team: $50 (adult) / $15 (youth) *Minimum of 20 tickets with one
adult ticket purchase
Grand Slam Table: $600 *Includes: eight
tickets
Heavy Hitter Table: $1,200 * Includes: eight tickets, four season
tickets and a special reception with Matt Whiteside.
For Tickets – the
Arkansas State Baseball office at 870-972-2700
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