Jan. 3, 2003

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Tech Hecklers will sponsor the Second-Annual First Pitch Luncheon honoring the Texas Tech Baseball team on Friday, January 24 at the Frazier Alumni Pavilion on the Texas Tech campus at 11: 30 a.m.

Last year's luncheon raised over $10,000 that went directly to the Texas Tech baseball and softball programs. The Tech Hecklers were able to purchase "Turn Back The Clock" uniforms, a new sound system and lineup boards for the Tech baseball team and a new lineup board for the softball program.

This year's event will again feature a silent auction (for silent auction items please log on to www.techhecklers.com), lunch and a short program. The program will be hosted by Mark Finkner, the radio voice of Texas Tech baseball.

Former Los Angeles Dodger great and current Texas Ranger pitching coach Orel Hershiser will be the featured guest at the luncheon and will address those in attendance. Hershiser played for the Dodgers from 1983 until 1994 when he was traded to Cleveland for three years then to San Francisco and the New York Mets before ending his major league career with the Dodgers in 2000. Hershiser was named Major League Baseball's Player of the Year in 1988 and won the N.L. Golden Glove and Cy Young Awards that same season. He is currently on staff with Buck Showalter's Texas Rangers as the team pitching coach.

Tables of eight can be purchased for $200 (cash or check only) by calling Judy Walker in the Texas Tech Baseball Office at 742-3355 beginning on Monday, Jan. 6. Individual tickets priced at $15 will go on sale on Monday, Jan. 20 through the Tech baseball office.

For more information, contact Judy Walker at 742-3355 or Chris Snead at 742-3641.