Jan. 18, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Pittsburgh Pirates third base coach Rick Sofield will be the keynote speaker at Friday's Penn State Baseball First Pitch Dinner at the The Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel, head coach Rob Cooper announced. Fans and friends of the Nittany can still register for the event at GoPSUsports.com.
Sofield has been coaching within the Pirates organization since 2012, but also has extensive experience with the collegiate level. He was the head coach at the University of Utah for eight seasons (1987-94) and the head coach of the University of South Carolina Beaufort for four seasons prior to joining the Pirates.
Additionally, Sofield has spent six seasons as a manager in the minor leagues. He managed in the Montreal farm system from 1995-97, guiding Harrisburg to the Eastern League championship in 1997. For his effort that season, he was the recipient of the John McHale award, an honor bestowed upon the Expos' top performer in the area of player development. Sofield managed the Pirates South Atlantic League in West Virginia in 2012
A former number one pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 1975 June Draft (13th overall selection), Sofield spent three years as an outfielder in the Major Leagues with the Twins (1979-1981.) Sofield also played a total of 10 years in the minor leagues with the Twins and in the Texas organization, retiring as a player following the 1982 campaign.
In addition to Sofield's appearance, the event will include dinner, a silent auction, introduction of the 2016 team and a discussion of the Cuba trip, while an appearance from a Penn State VIP is also expected. The tradition of baseball alums presenting the current team with their jerseys will also continue.
Doors will open for the general public at 6 p.m., while a Baseball Alumni Social for all former baseball players in attendance will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The cost is $70 per person for adults and $35 for children ages 3 to 12. All proceeds benefit Penn State baseball.
Tickets can be purchased by filling out and returning this form, and questions can be addressed by contacting the Varsity S Club at varsityS@athletics.psu.edu or (814) 867-2202.
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