SOUTH BEND – Baseball legend Mark Grace will headline the inaugural South Bend Cubs First Pitch Banquet presented by ABC-57 and News/Talk 95.3 MNC on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown South Bend. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The First Pitch Banquet will bring area coaches together for a unique question and answer panel, moderated by South Bend Cubs broadcaster Darren Pritchett. Panelists include former Chicago Cub and current Arizona Diamondbacks hitting coach Mark Grace, Notre Dame head softball coach Deanna Gumpf, Notre Dame head baseball coach Mikio Aoki, Bethel College head coach Seth Zartman and Director of Training and Instruction for the South Bend Cubs Performance Center Mark Haley.

“This is an exciting way to kick off the 2015 baseball and softball seasons in Michiana,” said Haley. “Not only will the panelist provide a unique insight for young baseball and softball players, but the proceeds from that evening directly benefit area baseball and softball programs.”

Money raised at the First Pitch Banquet will be used for youth baseball and softball teams to utilize the South Bend Cubs Performance Center for hitting and instruction.

“The South Bend Cubs Performance Center is more than a batting cage for the South Bend Cubs,” Haley continued. “It will be a facility for the community to use as their hitting facility, area for instruction, and a way for baseball and softball players to improve their game.”

Tickets are $40 and include a ticket to the event, ballpark style dinner and one ticket to a South Bend Cubs game in April (excluding Opening Day). Seating is limited to the first 250 guests. VIP tickets are $60 and include a special Meet and Greet with Mark Grace one hour before doors open. VIP event will be limited to 70 tickets.

Tickets will be available for purchase beginning January 5th at 10 a.m. at the Four Winds Field Main Office or at the South Bend Cubs Team Store during store hours. Tickets can also be purchased by calling South Bend Cubs office at (574) 235-9988.