Cleveland Indians President Mark Shapiro and seven-time Major League Baseball All Star Al Oliver will be the featured speakers at the Youngstown State Baseball First Pitch Breakfast on Feb. 1, 2014, at McMenamy's Restaurant and Banquet Center.
The fundraising event for the YSU baseball program will also include an impressive lineup of live and silent auction items as well as raffle prizes. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., a buffet breakfast will start at 8:45 a.m., and the program will follow at 9 a.m. Each ticket, which serves as admission to the event as well as a raffle entry, is $15.
The 2014 Penguins team will be on hand to mingle with friends and supporters of the program, and Gillispie is hoping for a sizable turnout of baseball alumni as well.
"This should be another great YSU event," Gillispie said. "We have speakers whose experiences have taken them to the pinnacle of their profession, and we have items in our auctions from MLB Gold Glove winners, Hall of Famers, and All-Star Game participants. The atmosphere is such an energizing influence for us as we countdown to the start of our season."
Shapiro is one of the most respected executives on Major League Baseball, and he was twice named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News when he was the Indians general manager. He has been with the Indians organization since 1991. Oliver played 18 seasons in the majors, including his first 10 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was on the Pirates' 1971 World Series championship team, and he assembled an impressive resume that featured seven all-star appearances, three Silver Slugger Awards and the 1982 National League batting title.
More than 450 people attended last year's breakfast that featured Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle and late MLB umpire, Mahoning Valley native and Penguins supporter Wally Bell. Autographed memorabilia from active MLB stars have already been donated for this year's event, and last year's breakfast had auction items ranging from batting practice passes, tickets to games, signed memorabilia and YSU baseball apparel.
For more information or to buy tickets, contact YSU associate head coach Kevin Smallcomb at kdsmallcomb@ysu.edu or (970) 978-0504.
