Baseball | 1/6/2026 5:56:00 PM

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State University Baseball will hold its annual First Pitch Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, January 24, at the Student Center Ballroom.
 
The 2026 First Pitch event will begin at 7:00 p.m., with the dinner catered by Chicago based BaseHit Catering beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed with a panel of former Major League Baseball (MLB) players and concluding with a silent auction at 8:30 p.m.
 
The panel discussion will feature three former Major League Baseball players with ties to the Bluegrass State. Lexington native Austin Kearns, who played in the majors from 2002 to 2013, spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. Joining him is fellow Lexington native John "T-Bone" Shelby, who played from 1981 to 1991 with the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers. Rounding out the panel is Frankfort native JT Riddle, who played in the big leagues from 2017 to 2022 with the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds.
   
Following the panel, two Kentucky State baseball student-athletes will take the stage to share what wearing the Green and Gold means to them—reflecting on their journeys, their pride in representing the university and the legacy they hope to leave behind.
 
Guests will also have the chance to take part in a silent auction featuring exclusive experiences and offerings, including a round of golf for four, a yearlong gym membership, tickets to Keeneland, and more.
 
Through the support of Kentucky State University and generous donors, Alumni Field has seen several key upgrades, including a new scoreboard, upgraded turf around home plate, infield resurfacing with new sod and mix, and a rebuilt pitching mound. These improvements mark an exciting step forward for the program and reflect a shared commitment to the future of Thorobred baseball.
 
Tickets are $50 per person or $275 for a table, which includes six seats along with one or two Kentucky State baseball student-athletes seated at the table. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
 
 
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