Update: The Fresno Grizzlies announced today that they have added another guest to the Hot Stove event. Heidi Watney, a Clovis West High School grad and current studio host on MLB Network, will the the first-ever female guest on a Hot Stove panel. Watney previously worked at Fox 26, and also covered the LA Galaxy and the Boston Red Sox as a reporter. Read my original post below to see how you can win tickets to Hot Stove from FresYes!
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Original Story:
I’ve got really, reaaaaally good news, baseball fans! (And no, it’s not lost on me that it’s, like, a week and a half until the Super Bowl and I am insisting on writing about baseball as usual.) Anyway… For those of you who have been missing the best sport in the world as much as I have, the Fresno Grizzlies have some great events coming up to tide you over until Opening Day.
First up is the 54th Annual Hot Stove Gala benefitting the Grizzlies Community Fund. The featured speaker this year is MLB Network analyst and Fox Sports broadcaster Harold Reynolds. Other guests slated to appear include Visalia native Brad Mills, who is currently the third base coach for the Cleveland Indians, and Bullard High grad Rex Hudler, who is currently a broadcaster for the Kansas City Royals (and once played for my Cards, I can’t resist adding).
The event will be held Saturday, February 7th, at the Fresno Convention Center. Tickets are $75 for adults and $30 for children, and include a three-course meal with wine (not for the kids!), raffle prizes and the chance for photos and autographs with the special guests. The no-host cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m., where attendees can check out silent auction items (I may have caught a glimpse of a signed Tom Seaver jersey floating around the Cru Club the other day). Dinner and the program begin at 6:30 p.m.The Hot Stove Gala also includes award presentations to Central Valley area high school athletes, coaches, and teams. You can contact Community Fund Director Whitney Campbell at 559-320-2547 or wcampbell@fresnogrizzlies.com to get tickets, or buy them online here. You can also finish reading this blog to find out how you can win tickets!
The Grizzlies Community Fund is truly a great organization. They fund things like the Junior Grizzlies baseball team for individuals with special needs and the Wild About Reading literacy program. This year, the money raised in the silent auction will go towards the building of the Fresno High Baseball Memorial, which will honor the players from the school who have gone on to the Majors. So come to Hot Stove to celebrate baseball past and present, and to support this great organization!
World Series Trophy Tour
Later in the month, there’s a special event for all you Giants fans out there (who I’m going to try really, really hard not to be bitter at)! The 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series trophies will all be visiting Chukchansi Park for a fan photo opportunity. The general public will be able to view the trophies on Tuesday, February 24th, from 5-7 p.m. There is no charge, but a $2 donation to support the Junior Giants is suggested.
If you’re like me and hate waiting in long lines, you might want to look into becoming a Grizzlies season ticket holder (also, you should just do that because the Grizzlies are awesome, in case I haven’t been clear on that). Prior to the public trophy event, there will be a VIP session from 3-5 p.m. for those who hold any season ticket plan other than a mini plan. If you already have season tickets, you can RSVP with Kendra Coy at kcoy@fresnogrizzlies.com or 559-320-2521. Each season ticket is good for two passe to the VIP event.
Anyone who buys season tickets by February 20th is eligible to attend the VIP session. Call (559) 320-HITS to get your season seats. There are other great benefits to being a season ticket holder, including invitations to other special Grizzlies events and a guarantee to get all promotions on giveaway nights. (I can’t officially say anything, but my sources tell me there will be some GREAT promotions this year, including some Giants-related ones that have proven very popular in the past!)
In closing, I will just say this once again (and not for the last time): There are so many reasons the Valley should get behind the Grizzlies. They’re making it clear this off-season that they aren’t throwing aside the many years of Giants history. But they are also embracing their pride as FRESNO’S baseball team. So go show your support while you’re waiting these long months until first pitch comes again!
Win Hot Stove Tickets
Oh wait… I promised you a chance to win some Hot Stove tickets, didn’t I? OK, OK, fine. Thank you for sitting through all of my rambling. I know this is what you’ve been waiting for. Answer these Grizzlies trivia questions and fill out the form. If you get all five questions right, you will be entered to win a pair of tickets to Hot Stove!
- Fresno Grizzlies Unveil New Valley-Centric Uniforms and Logos - January 31, 2019
- Date with your Pup? Fresyes, Please! - December 10, 2018
- AR Workshop takes wine and painting to the next level - October 10, 2018
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