The Foresters are the two-time defending NBC World Series national champions. (SB Foresters Photos)
Major League Baseball player Vernon Wells takes a photograph will local little leaguers at last year’s Hot Stove Banquet in Santa Barbara. (Presidio Sports Photo)
The Santa Barbara Foresters’ annual Hot Stove Banquet is just three days away, arriving this Friday night at Earl Warren Showgrounds.
The Foresters will induct former players Ryan Church and Andre Miller into their Hall of Fame while Milwaukee Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke will provide a keynote address.
The event acts in part as a fundraiser for UCSB’s Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, which houses both the Foresters and the Gauchos. It’s also the kickoff event for UCSB’s Baseball Alumni Weekend.
Roenicke is the father of UCSB player Lance Roenicke.
The 1983 UC Santa Barbara baseball team, which won the Southern California Baseball Association title and came within one victory of advancing to the College Baseball World Series, will be in attendance at the event to celebrate 30-year anniversary.
Tickets cost $75 for adults. Included is free food and wine provided by local sponsors.
Church played in the Major League for seven seasons, originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians.
Miller was a Foresters MVP and two-time National Champion.
“My favorite part of the event is seeing the former players come back years after ?they played for us, grown up as young men and getting to visit with their families they now have. Seeing the baseball fans of Santa Barbara, former
coaches and high school coaches,” said Foresters manager Bill Pintard. “It is a great night of camaraderie of all baseball players in Santa Barbara.”
Tickets are available HERE
