Head baseball coach Brian Schmack is pleased to announce details for the 6th Annual Crusader Baseball Bash.

Schmack and the Valparaiso baseball team have announced that longtime Major League Baseball manager and Valpo alum Lloyd McClendon will serve as guest speaker at the 6th Annual Crusader Baseball Bash to be held on Saturday, January 23rd inside the Aberdeen Manor Ballroom. 

McClendon, who recently accepted the role as skipper of the Toledo Mud Hens, managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001-2005 before serving in the same capacity with the Seattle Mariners during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Prior to his days as field manager, McClendon enjoyed a successful eight-year career that spanned over three teams. The Little League World Series legend enjoyed his best season in the bigs in 1989 with the Chicago Cubs when he cranked 12 home runs and drove in 40 runs. He concluded his playing career with the Pirates following the 1994 campaign.

Schmack also revealed he will recognize former Crusader standout Tim Holmes (1984-1987). Holmes ranks second in career wins (27) at Valparaiso and fourth in innings pitched (291 2/3). He produced a 1.59 earned run average in 1987, the lowest of any Valpo hurler over the last 40 years. Holmes also posted a laborious ten complete games that season, a number that rests safely at the top of the program's record book. He was rewarded to the tune of Mid-Continent Conference Pitcher of the Year honors in addition to First Team All-Conference accolades for his historic season. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Holmes in the 35th round of the MLB June Amateur Draft. 

The doors will open at 4:00 pm for a social hour with dinner being served at 5:00 pm. In addition to a featured address by McClendon, the event will include a dinner, a cash bar, and a silent auction. The Crusader Baseball Bash will wrap up at 8:00 pm following the announcement of the silent auction winners. 

The Aberdeen Manor Ballroom is located at 216 Ballantrae Street in Valparaiso.

The cost for the event is $40 per person, $35 for kids age 13 and under. All attendees 13 years or younger receive free admission to the Crusaders' April 10th baseball clinic. For further information, contact Coach Schmack at 219.464.6117 or at Brian.Schmack@valpo.edu.