First Pitch

 

The First Pitch Fundraising Banquet, now in its 9th year, is one of the most prestigious fundraising events in our UCM community and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the storied tradition of Mules Baseball. Through the fundraising banquet, Mules Baseball has raised over $241,000 for equipment needs, expanded the student-athlete experience, supplemented the operational budget, and implemented facility improvements, such as the newly constructed $2.1 million Mules Baseball Clubhouse at James R. Crane Stadium. 

Join us on Saturday, April 5, for a day of baseball in Warrensburg, MO! This is a powerful gathering of Mules Baseball alumni and community leaders who come together to support Mules Baseball, induct former players into the Diamond Club, and positively impact the current generation of players. The banquet will include fundraising games, dinner, drinks, a silent auction, and recognition.

The First Pitch Fundraising Banquet Planning Committee is happy to announce MLB Hall of Famer George Brett as this year's keynote speaker. A member of the 1999 Hall of Fame induction class, Brett was a 13x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger, 1980 MVP and 1985 World Series champion for the Royals. Brett will be the fourth World Series champion and second Hall of Famer to speak at this annual gathering of Mules Baseball alumni and community leaders who come together to positively impact current and future generations of players.

Proceeds from the 9th Annual First Pitch Banquet will ensure Central Missouri remains one the of the nation’s top NCAA Division II baseball programs.* We would be honored to have your support.

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Schedule

Game
11:00 a.m. Baseball Alumni reserved area along 3rd baseline at James R. Crane Stadium
11:30 a.m. On-Field Recognition of the Diamond Club Honorees
12:00 p.m. Mules Baseball game

Banquet
5:00 p.m. Doors Open at Jerry M. Hughes Center 

• VIP Social and Meet and Greet with George Brett (access included in specific sponsorship levels)
• Silent Auction Viewing
• Fundraising Games (bring cash or have Venmo ready)

7:00 p.m. Welcome Remarks
7:15 p.m. Dinner
7:45 p.m. Program, including Diamond Club induction and keynote speaker George Brett

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Recognition

The Diamond Club recognizes former Mules Baseball players who positively impacted the Mules Baseball program. This year’s Diamond Club Honorees are:

• Bret Schwartz - Schwartz was a two-time First Team All-MIAA, four-time All-MIAA, four-time All-Region, 2012 MIAA Player of the Year, 2012 All-Region Gold Glove winner and Third Team All-American shortstop. In 2009, Schwartz won the MIAA Freshman of the Year award. He still ranks second all-time at UCM and third in MIAA with 306 hits, second with 234 career runs scored, seventh in RBI (177). He is both the UCM and MIAA career leader with 753 assists and has three of top five single-season assist totals (212, 199, 182) at UCM. Schwartz was a career .350 hitter with a .450 on-base percentage. He also worked hard in the classroom earning second Team Academic All-American honors.
• Mason Janvrin - Janvrin was a career .400 hitter during his time in Warrensburg. Following his standout Mules' career he was selected in the 14th Round of the MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. From 2017-2019, Janvrin collected 208 hits with 114 coming in 2019. His 114 hits are still the program record for a single season. In 2019, he earned Second Team All-American honors and was the Division II Elite 90 Award winner for baseball and the CoSIDA/Division II Baseball Academic All-American of the Year. Janvrin also holds the distinction for most at bats (273) and is tied for stolen bases in a game (5). He ranks in the top 10 in career average, and single season and career stolen bases in Mules history. He was also twice named to the CoSIDA Academic All-American team. 
• Brad Wilson - Wilson appeared in 165 games in his Mules career and collected 178 hits and 131 RBI, 124 runs and a .337 career average. Wilson was named a Honorable Mention All-American in 2014 and was also a First Team All-MIAA and First Team All-Region performer. He finished his career as a two-time All-MIAA player. Wilson was an Academic All-Conference performer for his hard work in the classroom. 

• Bob Jackson - Jackson spent over 40 years on the UCM Athletic staff and is synonymous with Mules baseball was the voice of the Mules. Bob Jackson was employed at the University of Central Missouri since 1999, but has been involved with the University’s athletic department since September of 1981. Jackson called 168 NCAA-II baseball postseason games and 64 of those were national championship tournament games, which included calling all four national championship games the Mules played in. He came to Warrensburg in 1981 to serve as sports director at KOKO Radio. There he was the play-by-play voice of Mules football, basketball, and baseball and for Jennies basketball, a position he filled until joining the staff at UCM in 1999.

The banquet will also highlight the reunions of the 2020, 2015, 2000, and 1975 Mules Baseball teams. All members of those teams are encouraged to get back together to reminisce and socialize!

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Registration and Fundraising

The success of this event relies on corporate donors and partners, community members, and attendees. By sponsoring our fundraising banquet, companies, and community members can show their commitment to Mules Baseball.  

 

 

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Questions and Additional Information

• General event and registration inquiries can be directed to Tiffany Cochran at tkcochran@ucmo.edu. 
• Silent auction or general donation inquiries can be directed to Ryan Snyder at rsnyder@ucmo.edu.
• Take advantage of our discounted group rate at Warrensburg's Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Fairfield Inn, or Quality Inn. 
• The attire is business casual.

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Planning Committee

Mules Baseball would like to thank its planning committee.  Without them, this event would not be possible.  The committe includes:  Tiffany Cochran ‘05, ‘23, David Ezell ‘78, ‘79, Jackie Jackson ‘09, ‘12, Alex Kent ‘11, ‘14, Billy Maloney ‘16, ‘17, Bennett Oliver ‘16, Brea Parnell, Stu Rogers ’82, ‘86, Rob Ruth ‘75, Ryan Snyder, Billy Ukrazhenko and Macie Wallace ‘23.

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*Mules Baseball will receive 80% of the net proceeds and 20% will support the Cardinal and Black Fund, which supplements the UCM Athletics operational budget supporting all 550 student-athletes.