The University of New Mexico baseball team held its "First Pitch Banquet" on Friday afternoon as the team welcomed an ESPN personality to the local baseball community and attempted to raise funds for the upcoming season.
UNM baseball head coach Ray Birmingham said he is tasked with raising $150,000 every year through donations and the banquet was a step toward accomplishing that goal.
ESPN analyst Tim Kurkjian, a big name in the Major League Baseball world, was the guest speaker and highlighted a night filled with food, speeches and auctions for some big-ticket baseball items — among them were fan experiences with big-league players Alex Bregman, Blake Swihart and Mitch Garver, as well as autographed baseball and sports paraphernalia.