Opening Day may still be weeks away, but the Clark State College men’s baseball team officially kicked off the season with the First Pitch Dinner, a community-centered fundraiser supporting scholarships, equipment, facilities and team travel. With more than 140 guests in attendance, the event raised more than $9,500 from ticket sales, donations and silent auctions.
Doug Adams, head coach, opened the evening by sharing his outlook on the upcoming season and the core philosophies that guide the program – discipline, development and character on and off the field. Gabriel Ledbetter, baseball student athlete, reinforced Adams’ message by providing a student athlete perspective on the impact of the program, the team’s excitement heading into the upcoming season, preseason preparation and the strong sense of belonging within the program. The event ended with Nate Metzger, Chicago Cubs scout, who spoke about perseverance, preparation and purpose.
“Clark State baseball continues to grow competitively while emphasizing academic success, character and personal development,” said Naz Butler, director of athletics and student engagement at Clark State. “Our focus is on building a strong program, preparing student-athletes for the next level and representing the college with spirit and pride,” said Butler. “This event allowed our community to come together in support of our student-athletes to help strengthen their experience both on and off the field.”
In addition to baseball, Clark State also offers men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball and eSports.