10th Anniversary Hudson Valley Baseball Classic Announced
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FISHKILL, New York -- Officials from the Hudson Valley Renegades, Army Athletic Association and Marist College Athletic Department announced the details of the 10th annual WRWD Hudson Valley Baseball Classic, to be played between Army and Marist at Dutchess Stadium on April 29. In addition to the game, a free baseball clinic will be held for boys and girls starting at 4:45 p.m.
The contest features the Hudson Valley's only Division I baseball programs, Army and Marist, and brings together residents and fan bases from neighboring communities for an evening of quality entertainment at the home of the area's lone minor league baseball team affiliated with a major league franchise, the Hudson Valley Renegades.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:39 p.m. for this year's contest and will showcase a pair of teams with NCAA aspirations, and will be immediately followed by postgame fireworks.
Army owns a 5-4 lead in HVBC series after winning last year's game, 4-2.
"There is no better way each year to officially open up the Dutch for baseball than with this great event," said Renegades Vice President/Special Events Rick Zolzer.
For the 10th consecutive year, in conjunction with the WRWD Hudson Valley Baseball Classic, a free baseball clinic for boys and girls from K-8th grade will be conducted by players and coaches from both Army and Marist on the Dutchess Stadium playing field prior to the game from 4:45 to 5:35 p.m. The first 150 individuals to pre-register for the clinic will receive a T-shirt commemorating the event, while all those participating in the clinic will receive a voucher for a free ticket to a Renegades game later this summer.
"We're excited to be part of the Hudson Valley Baseball Classic for the 10th straight year," said Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray. "This event is a great opportunity to showcase two quality Division I programs in the Hudson River Valley. Fans will have an opportunity to experience quality college baseball with a terrific family atmosphere. I'd like to thank the Army Athletic Association, the Hudson Valley Renegades and our sponsors for their efforts in making this event successful."
Once again, two youths who pre-register and attend the pregame clinic will be selected at random to participate in on-field festivities during the game itself. Two lucky youngsters will accompany Army head coach Matt Reid and Marist head coach Chris Tracz to home plate to present lineup cards during the Umpires Meeting prior to the game. Two clinic attendees will be chosen to hold the on-field microphone during renditions of The Star Spangled Banner (pregame) and God Bless America (seventh-inning stretch).
"This night continues to be tremendous for our community and we are delighted to be able to participate once again," added Army Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan. "We are fortunate to provide Hudson Valley residents an opportunity to interact with our cadet-athletes and an outstanding evening of free entertainment. We would like to thank the Renegades leadership and the entire Marist Athletics' staff who help ensure this annual event is a success."
All of the game-day features associated with a Hudson Valley Renegades home contest will be in operation for the Hudson Valley Baseball Classic once again, with Renegades' staff members shouldering their normal game-day details. Rascal, the Renegades' popularmascots, will be attendance, joining mascots from both Marist and Army.
Pregame festivities will include an autograph session with players from both Army and Marist, an on-field Color Guard presenting colors and a contingent of the Army Glee Club and Marist Singer's performing the National Anthem. A spectacular fireworks show provided by Legion Fireworks Company will cap the evening. The impressive fireworks display will begin immediately following the on-field presentation of the WRWD Hudson Valley Baseball Classic Trophy to the team captains and head coach of the winning club.
"We are excited to be part of this great community event for its 10th anniversary," Marist head coach Chris Tracz said. "Over the last 10 years we have been so fortunate to have teamed up with West Point to teach over 1,000 kids through our Clinic. We have also had the privilege to compete in front of over 20,000 fans. We are honored to once again be a part of the HVBC and looking forward to another great night at Dutchess Stadium."
Army head coach Matt Reid added, "This is a night our team looks forward to every year. Having an opportunity to work with aspiring young baseball players during the pregame clinic is a special experience for us. We love to teach the game. Then, being part of a first-class operation put on by the Renegades against an excellent opponent in Marist makes it a memorable night for everyone. The atmosphere for this game is tremendous, and we hope to bring the trophy back to West Point. The Hudson River is on the line."
Fans who cannot make it to Dutchess Stadium can watch a video stream of the contest exclusively through Knight Vision on goARMYsports.com.
Live radio for the game will be provided as well. The Army call is available on WBNR (1260-AM) and WNLA (1420-AM) and also through www.goARMYsports.com. The Marist call of the game can be found on the radio on WKIP (1450 AM) as well as www.GoRedFoxes.com.
As in the past, there will be no admission charge for the event. However, complimentary tickets will be required to enter Dutchess Stadium on April 29. Tickets can be picked up at the Renegades offices, athletic departments at both Army and Marist and businesses across the Hudson Valley beginning later this week. Tickets will also be available for pickup at Dutchess Stadium the night of the Classic. Fans can contact the Hudson Valley Renegades (845-838-0094), Army Athletic Association (845-938-3303) or Marist Athletic Department (845-575-3324) for further information regarding ticket distribution policies and locations.
Batting practice for both teams will be open to the public with the sessions running from 3:30-4:40 p.m. Army will conduct its batting practice period from 3:30 to 4:05 p.m., followed by Marist from 4:05 to 4:40 p.m. Team autograph sessions will take place from 6-6:15 p.m. in the stands along both baselines.
Full team introductions and pregame festivities will follow with first pitch of the 10th annual WRWD Hudson Valley Baseball Classic scheduled for 6:39 p.m.
Those wishing to attend the clinic can pre-register at Army's official website (www.goARMYsports.com) or Marist's official website (www.GoRedFoxes.com). Individuals can also register for the event on the day of the clinic at Dutchess Stadium. The clinic has proven to be a rousing success with nearly 200 area youths participating each year.
The inaugural Hudson Valley Baseball Classic was played at Dutchess Stadium on April 19, 2006, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 2,619 - the largest to ever witness a college baseball game in the Hudson Valley. That figure was surpassed the following year on May 2 when 3,016 streamed into Dutchess Stadium to watch the second Hudson Valley Baseball Classic. Despite temperatures hovering in the 30s shortly after first pitch on April 30, 2008, the event drew a crowd of 2,375. Attendance jumped to 2,754 for the 2009 with the 2010 crowd at 2,407. In 2011, the announced attendance was 2,422 fans while poor weather limited the crowd in 2012 to 1,602, but the number jumped to 2,512 fans in 2013. Last season a crowd of 2,076 fans watched Army top Marist by a 4-2 final.
Media members wishing to attend the contest should contact Army's Mark Mohrman at (845) 938-6929 to arrange credentials.
For more information on the 2015 WRWD Hudson Valley Baseball Classic, please visit the official Web sites of the Hudson Valley Renegades (www.hvrenegades.com), Army Athletic Association (www.goARMYsports.com) or Marist Athletic Department (www.GoRedFoxes.com).
Hudson Valley Baseball Classic Results
Year Final Score
2014 Army 4, Marist 2
2013 Army 10, Marist 3
2012 Marist 6, Army 3
2011 Marist 15, Army 7
2010 Army 4, Marist 3
2009 Army 10, Marist 3
2008 Marist 11, Army 2
2007 Marist 7, Army 6
2006 Army 6, Marist 1
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