Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Kick Off Season With First Pitch Luncheon
January 23, 2004 | Baseball
Jan. 23, 2004
LUBBOCK, Texas -
The Texas Tech baseball and softball seasons officially got underway today 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.
Taking part in today's festivities were the Texas Rangers who sent players Colby Lewis and Hank Blalock along with longtime broadcaster Eric Nadel. Lewis and All-Star game hero Blalock spoke about the upcoming Ranger season and expressed their surprise in today luncheon.
"I signed right out of high school and never got to experience college baseball," said Texas Ranger third baseman Hank Blalock. "The support for the Red Raiders is absolutely incredible. I didn't expect this at all."
"I came on a recruiting trip with Blake McGinley (former Red Raider pitcher) to Tech," said Ranger pitcher Colby Lewis. "Blake ended up coming to Tech and I decided to go to the pros after being taken as a sandwich pick in the first round. Blake really loved playing here at Texas Tech and from the looks of this great crowd, I can definitely understand why."
Stan Mayfield of Lubbock won the grand prize at today's luncheon as he was the successful winner of the luncheon's raffle. Mayfield won a complete trip package to Arlington for this year's Big 12 Tournament as he will receive two all-session passes to the tournament, two one-day passes to Six Flags over Texas and five nights hotel accommodations.
"Every year I continue to be floored at the generosity of our fans and this year is certainly no different," said Texas Tech Head Coach Larry Hays. "The fact that 700 people bought tickets for a baseball luncheon is a testament to just how wonderful we have things. The Tech Hecklers have been so great to us over the years and once again they stepped up to the plate and hit a home run."
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.
Texas Tech will open the 2004 season against the Campbell Camels on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. The Red Raiders will host the Camels in a three-game series that will continue at 3 p.m. on Friday and wrap up at noon on Saturday. Season tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased through the Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office at (806) 742-TECH, online at www.texastech.com or at any Select-A-Seat or United Supermarkets location in West Texas.
