PREP BASEBALL: Central booster club hosts inaugrual first-pitch dinenr (11/19)

The first official pitch of the high school baseball season is still months away, but the Central Hardin High School baseball booster club will get fans in the mood for baseball in early December.

The group’s inaugural first pitch dinner and auction is at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Central Hardin commons area with University of Louisville head baseball coach Dan McDonnell serving as the featured speaker.

McDonnell has been at Louisville for six years and holds a 258-128 mark at the school. He has led the Cardinals to five NCAA Tournament berths, including the 2007 College World Series, during his tenure.

“We feel very fortunate to be able to have a great baseball mind like Coach McDonnell at our event,” said booster club president Jeff D’Alessio. “He’s going to talk about his program and high school baseball in Kentucky. All baseball fans will enjoy listening to what he has to say.”

The night will serve as a fundraiser for the program and will include a spaghetti dinner, McDonnell’s speech and a silent auction.

Among the auction items available are two tickets to a University of Kentucky basketball game, two tickets to a Louisville basketball game, $100 gift cards to Belk and Best Buy, a three-month family membership to E’town Swim & Fitness Center, a $100 VISA gift card, a deluxe oil change at First Class Car Care, a cologne basket from Belk, a gift card to Green Top Antiques and Collectibles, a $50 gift card to O’Charleys, a gift card from Dana Basham Photography and Kentucky and Louisville jewelry.

Cost for the event is $10 for anyone 18 and over, $5 for anyone between the ages of 10 and 18 and children under 5 are free.

Tickets are available from any Central Hardin baseball player or by contacting D’Alessio at 307-5418 or Corky Morse at 872-9071. Any business wanting to donate an item also can call D’Alessio or Morse.