LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV baseball program will host its Second Annual "First Pitch Dinner" on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Thomas & Mack Center's Strip View Pavilion. Fans, alumni, friends and family are invited to join the 2020 Rebels at the on-campus event, which will take place one week prior to the opening of the 2020 season at Earl E. Wilson Stadium against the Central Michigan Chippewas (Feb. 14-16).
 
The evening will include a reception, dinner and a keynote address from former Major League Baseball player and UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Ludwick. The Las Vegas native and Durango High School graduate concluded his collegiate career ranked fourth in home runs (43) and ninth in batting average (.363). As a Rebel, he was tabbed a First Team Freshman All-American by Baseball America in 1997, and earned All-Western Athletic Conference First and Second Team honors in 1999 and 1998, respectively. He was drafted 60th overall in the 1999 MLB First Year Draft by the Oakland Athletics and played for a total of six squads, including the Texas Rangers who he made his professional debut with in 2002. While playing for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008, Ludwick was named to the National League's All-Star Team and would go on to win the Silver Slugger Award that same year.
 
First Pitch Dinner Details
Where: UNLV's Strip View Pavilion
When: Thursday, Feb. 6
Time: 5:30 pm Reception; 6:00 pm Program
Cost: $100 for individuals
 
$1000 Rebel Table – includes eight seats and you will be joined by two current players
 
Detailed information, including parking directions, will be sent out to guests prior to the event.
 
UNLV BASEBALL BOWLING TOURNAMENT: In addition to the "First Pitch Dinner" festivities, UNLV Baseball will also hold a 32-team bowling tournament at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Friday, Feb. 7. Teams will get three games of bowling apiece as well as complimentary bowling balls, shoes, food and drinks.
 
Bowling Details
Where: South Point Bowling Center
When: Friday, Feb. 7
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $300 per team (4 players on a team)
 
UNLV BASEBALL ALUMNI GAME: UNLV Baseball will wrap up the three-day event with its alumni game on Saturday, Feb. 8. First pitch for the alumni game is slated for 12:00 pm, with batting practice scheduled to being at 11:00 am. Prior to the game, the current Rebel squad will have an intrasquad scrimmage at 9:00 am, which is also open to the public.
 
For any registration or ticketing questions, please contact undergraduate assistant coach Vince Taormina by email (vintao1155@gmail.com) or phone (702-672-9521).