The second annual First Pitch Banquet was held in the Elliott Student Union Saturday to honor the past and present achievements in the history University of Central Missouri Mules baseball program.
This event had a turnout of nearly 400 alumni and supporters of the Mules baseball team. Community members and alumni in attendance were able to socialize and reunite with old teammates, coaches and meet this season’s players in the union atrium.
Attendees could take photos with the 2017 World Series trophy won by the Astros and Jim Crane, a UCM alumni and owner of the professional baseball team – the Houston Astros, who was in attendance.
On display there for auction, were memorabilia items bidders could donate towards. The silent auction included an opportunity to throw the first pitch at the 2018 Houston Astros game, a Houston Astros World Series team-signed baseball, Warrensburg Local Date Night Gift Basket and 75 other items.
UCM President Chuck Ambrose opened the banquet with remarks to alumni, players, coaches and other attendees of the event. He went on thanking the staff that was able to, “bring together first pitch, and for what is an incredible event for an incredible evening.”
Ambrose said the baseball program is a community that fosters success and gives supports as it continues on that journey.
“It’s an opportunity to experience play at the highest level, as which all of you (alumni) had the opportunity as lettermen, having a great education and a great degree.”
The event also included a raffle, silent auction, three former student-athletes inducted into the Mules Diamond Club: (1997-2000), Brooks Martin (2009-10) and Nick DeBiasse (2010-11), and a brief look in Mules baseball history with Dave DeFrain and Athletic Director Jerry Hughes.
The banquet concluded with keynote speaker Jim Crane, who said it was great to return to Warrensburg to cherish the great memories created at UCM.
“A lot of old friends and a lot of great memories, I have very fond memories here,” Jim Crane said.
He discussed how he worked his way to become the CEO of a professional baseball team and the effort made to make the Houston Astros the best team in the league.
Crane gave praise to special people who had a huge impact on his career path through UCM being a student-athlete.
“Mules for life!” Crane said excitedly before wrapping up the keynote segment with a Q & A session for attendees of the event.
Afterwards, Mules baseball head coach Kyle Crookes commented on the tone of the team in preparation for the upcoming season.
“We are excited about it, being two weeks away and I’m optimistic of what we’ll be,” Crookes said.
He said the players are ready to face competition instead of playing each other in practice before giving his thoughts on the banquet’s success in its second year.
“It’s gratifying, it’s great to see the young men go out in the world and to come back and to see all the support and how they make it possible for the younger players to get an education,” Crookes said.
The Mules first game will be Feb. 2-4 as they are co-host of the sixth annual Houston Winter Invitational at Minute Maid Park. Tickets are available for online, to purchase, them visit Astros.com/invitational.