Decker First Guest Announced For 2010 Hot Stove Banquet
Published on January 13, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, CA - New Grizzlies manager Steve Decker has been confirmed as the first guest at the 49th Annual Hot Stove Banquet. The February 4th event, benefiting the Grizzlies Community Fund, will also feature other guest speakers from the San Francisco Giants to be named later and awards presented to several of the Valley's top baseball and softball athletes and coaches.
The annual charitable event is scheduled for Thursday, Feburary 4th, with the evening's activities slated to begin with a VIP Reception at 5:30pm- featuring current and former MLB players, local high school and college coaches and Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame members- at the Holiday Inn Downtown. Doors will open to the general public at 6:15pm. Tickets are $60 for adults, $15 for children, and $550 to reserve a table of ten, with all proceeds benefiting the Grizzlies Community Fund and its efforts within the community. For ticket information, please call Danielle Witt at 559.320.2547.
An awards presentation will also highlight the Hot Stove banquet as honors will be presented to baseball and softball standouts from across the Valley. Categories will include Male and Female Player of the Year, Team of the Year, and Coach of the Year. The Al Radka award, celebrating an individual that has made a contribution to the community through the game of baseball, will be presented for the 8th time at this year's Hot Stove. Radka started the Fresno Hot Stove Banquet over 50 years ago and the award was created as a testament to his vision.
The banquet will mark Decker's first appearance in Fresno as Grizzlies manager. After two seasons as Grizzlies hitting coach (2003-04), he managed the Short-Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to two Northwest League titles (2006, 2007) in his first three seasons as a Minor League manager. The Lewis & Clark State College alum then guided the Advanced Single-A San Jose Giants to a California League-best 88-55 record in 2008 before jumping to Double-A, where he led the Connecticut Defenders to the Eastern League finals in 2009. Decker, whose seven-year Major League playing career included four years as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants, owns a stellar 328-185 (.639) record as a Minor League manager.
Both silent and live auctions benefiting the Fresno Grizzlies Community Fund will also be a part of the festivities. All proceeds of the event will go towards the Grizzlies' non-profit organization, which was created to assist, reward and support the Valley community. The Grizzlies Community Fund benefits hundreds of local charity and non-profit groups and has created several of its own community programs including Wild About Reading, Swing for Kids and the Junior Grizzlies- a non-competitive baseball league for children with mental and physical disabilities.
Pacific Coast League Stories from January 13, 2010
- Decker First Guest Announced For 2010 Hot Stove Banquet - Fresno Grizzlies
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