Oct. 29, 2016
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State baseball team will holds its annual Halloween Game on Sunday, Oct. 30, at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Coaches and players will all be in costume for the contest, which is scheduled to get underway at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Stadium gates will open at 12:00 p.m. and there is no charge for admission. All fans who attend will receive special Halloween treats during the course of the game. There will also be food and drink there available for purchase.
Festivities get underway just before 1:00 p.m. when a member of the Challenger Baseball program will sing the national anthem.
Following the anthem, motivational speaker Champ Pederson, brother of Los Angeles Dodger outfielder Joc Pederson, will briefly address the fans in attendance. Pederson will be attending as an ambassador of Best Buddies, an organization that offers members opportunities for socialization, leadership development, and integrated employment, thereby providing the necessary tools for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to become more independent and more included in the community.
A short Challenger Baseball clinic will be held from approximately 1:15 until 1:45, at which time there will be a Challenger baseball game on the field.
Former San Diego Padre pitcher and current Padres broadcaster Mark Grant will act as emcee for all of the Challenger Baseball events being held on Sunday.
The 2017 Aztecs will take the field at about 3:00 p m. in costume for the annual Halloween Game. That contest is expected to last 3-4 innings.
Following the Halloween Game, the SDSU baseball team will change into their practice gear for a full intrasquad scrimmage
A trio of organizations will be recognized at this year's event.
Best Buddies Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
D.A.D.S. (Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome) Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome, or D.A.D.S., is a committee or community group (within a local Down Syndrome support organization) of fathers of children who happen to have Down syndrome.
DSA (Down Syndrome Association) DSA is the lead organization on Down syndrome in San Diego County, serving more than 1000 families and professionals. Throughout the years, DSA has established numerous community partners who support and augment services for families, and enrich the lives of people with Down syndrome. DSA is actively engaged in key local, state and national initiatives, influencing policy and practices that impact health care, education and social service programs.
The Aztecs are currently in their fall practice season as they gear up for their 2017 campaign. The Halloween contest will give the team a break from the normal practice routine and a chance for fans to enjoy a fun afternoon of baseball. SDSU returns 20 letterwinners from the 2015 squad led all-Mountain West second team second baseman Justin Wylie and pitcher Dominic Purpura.
The Aztecs have added a group of 18 newcomers to their preseason roster, a group include one player drafted last June by the Houston Astros and three high school all-state honorees plus a pitcher who was selected to play on the NJCAA National Team at last summer's National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series
San Diego State will open its 2017 season on Friday, Feb. 17, at 6:00 p.m. when it hosts Pacific at Tony Gwynn Stadium.