Jan. 23, 2004

The Texas Tech baseball and softball seasons officially got underway on Friday, Jan. 23 as a crowd of just over 700 people attended the Third Annual Tech Hecklers First Pitch Luncheon at the Lubbock Municipal Civic Center.

The luncheon, sponsored by the Tech Hecklers and United Supermarkets, had a spectacular third year as a record crowd of just over 700 diehard Red Raider baseball fans packed the civic center to support this year's squad. The event helped raise over $12,000 (numbers do not include funds raised from the silent auction) and the money will go directly to the Red Raider baseball and softball programs.

The Tech Hecklers are one of the most famous fan groups in all of college baseball and over the last three years they have contributed close to $30,000 to support Red Raider baseball and softball. The Tech Hecklers are a non-profit organization devoted to college baseball and more information on them can be found online at www.techhecklers.com.

The luncheon, sponsored by the Tech Hecklers and United Supermarkets, featured an auction to help raise money. Barrett Pliler signs an autograph for a Red Raider Fan. A raffle and auction helped raise over $12,000.

A crowd of just over 700 people attended the Third Annual Tech Hecklers First Pitch Luncheon at the Lubbock Municipal Civic Center. The event helped raise over $12,000 for the Baseball and softball programs. Gerald Myers, Texas Tech Director of Athletics

The money raised benefits the Girls Softball team as well as Baseball. Larry Hays, Texas Tech Head Baseball Coach, chat with Hank Blalock, Third Baseman Texas Rangers. Larry Hays, Texas Tech Head Baseball Coach, chat with Hank Blalock, Third Baseman Texas Rangers.

Josh Brady Mark Finkner Eric Nadel, Broadcaster of theTexas Rangers holds microphone as Hank Blalock speaks.

Colby Lewis, Pitcher Texas Rangers