BATON ROUGE — For the first time, the YMCA and the Tiger Baseball Alumni Foundation are teaming to host “Opening Day 2003” to kick off the baseball season in Louisiana. The YMCA Baton Rouge Kids’ Baseball Clinic will be held on Saturday at 9 a.m. in Alex Box Stadium. The clinic will be followed by autograph opportunities, a Home Run Derby conducted by professional players and the annual LSU Alumni Game, which is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
The Alumni Game matches the 2003 LSU squad against a team of former Tiger players who are currently active in professional baseball. Former players scheduled to participate in the Alumni Game include pitcher Paul Byrd of the Atlanta Braves and infielder Russ Johnson of the New York Mets.
The gates of Alex Box Stadium will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday for the YMCA Baton Rouge Kids’ Baseball Clinic. The free clinic will feature the LSU Alumni team of professional players and the 2003 LSU squad. Also participating are coach Roger Cador and the Southern Jaguars, and coach Dan Canevari and the Southeastern Louisiana Lions.
In addition, a host of current and former professional players from Louisiana will be on hand to serve as instructors, including former Woodlawn High star Chad Durbin and Covington native Blake Stein of the Kansas City Royals, and Lake Charles native Joe Lawrence and Doug Creek of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Tickets to the Alumni Game may be purchased in the LSU Athletic Ticket Office by calling 225-578-2184. Tickets will also be available Saturday at Alex Box Stadium beginning at 2 p.m.