2016 Hudson Valley Baseball Classic Announced

FISHKILL, N.Y. – Officials from the Hudson Valley Renegades, Army Athletic Association and Marist College Athletic Department announced the details of the 11th annual Rock 93.3 Hudson Valley Baseball Classic, to be played between Army West Point and Marist at Dutchess Stadium on April 27. In addition to the game, which is free of charge, a free baseball clinic will be held for boys and girls starting at 4:45 p.m.

The contest features the Hudson Valley's only Division I baseball programs, Army and Marist, and brings together residents and fan bases from neighboring communities for an evening of quality entertainment at the home of the area's lone minor league baseball team affiliated with a major league franchise, the Hudson Valley Renegades.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. for the 11th edition of the game that features two teams with NCAA Tournament aspirations, and will be immediately followed by postgame fireworks.

The Red Foxes tied the HVBC series at five apiece after last season's 3-2 victory over the Black Knights.

"We are thrilled that Army West Point and Marist College continue to choose Dutchess Stadium as the venue for the Hudson Valley Baseball Classic," said Renegades Vice President/Special Events Rick Zolzer.

For the 11th year in a row, in conjunction with the Rock 93.3 Hudson Valley Baseball Classic, a free baseball clinic for boys and girls from kindergarten through eighth grade will be conducted by players and coaches from both Army and Marist on the Dutchess Stadium playing field prior to the game from 4:45-5:35 p.m. The first 100 pre-registrants for the clinic will receive a T-shirt commemorating the event, while all those participating in the clinic will receive a voucher for a free ticket to a Renegades game later this summer.

"The Hudson Valley Baseball Classic remains one of the signature events for our community and we are excited to be part of it once again," added Army West Point Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan. "We are privileged to have this opportunity for our cadet-athletes to interact with the community during a great evening of free entertainment. Thank you to the staffs of the Renegades and Marist, who along with our athletic department, contribute to this great event to ensure it is a hit."

Four pre-registrants who attend the clinic will be selected at random to participate in on-field festivities during the game itself. Two lucky youngsters will accompany Army head coach Matt Reid and Marist head coach Chris Tracz to home plate for the umpires meeting and the presentation of the lineup cards, while two attendees will be chosen to hold the on-field microphone during The Star Spangled Banner (pregame) and God Bless American (seventh-inning stretch).

"The Hudson Valley Baseball Classic is a tremendous community event, and we look forward to being a part of it for the 11th straight year," added Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray. "Our fans in the Hudson River Valley have the opportunity to see two quality Division I programs in a terrific family atmosphere. Thanks to the Army Athletic Association, the Hudson Valley Renegades, and our sponsors in making this event successful. I'd like to thank Chuck Benfer and the iHeartMedia group of the Hudson Valley as we've tremendously grown our partnership with Rock 93.3 this season."

All of the game-day features associated with a Hudson Valley Renegades home contest will be in operation for the Hudson Valley Baseball Classic once again, with Renegades' staff members shouldering their normal game-day details. "Rookie", "Rene" and "Rascal", the Renegades' popular family of mascots, will be in attendance, joining Shooter the Red Fox from Marist and Blackjack the Mule from Army.

Pregame festivities will include an autograph session with players from both Army and Marist, an on-field Color Guard presenting colors and the Marist Choir performing the National Anthem. A spectacular fireworks show provided by Legion Fireworks Company will conclude the evening. The impressive fireworks display will begin immediately following the on-field presentation of the Rock 93.3 Hudson Valley Baseball Classic Trophy to the team captains and head coach of the winning ballclub.

"We are excited again to be a part of the Hudson Valley Baseball Classic," said Marist head coach Chris Tracz. "It has now become a staple to our schedule and the community, and we again look forward to a great clinic for the kids in the area and an exciting game between Marist and Army West Point. It's such a great event and we're thankful for all parties involved that spend time and effort putting together a great day."

"I think it's a great event for the Hudson Valley to not only showcase two quality baseball programs to the fans in the area, but also have a great interaction with the fans with the camp and autograph sessions," Army West Point Head Coach Matt Reid added. "We play a really good team in Marist. It's just fun to play against them because they are always good, tough games. It's a very cool and unique environment."

Fans who cannot make it to Dutchess Stadium can watch a free video stream of the game exclusively through the Patriot League Network's Campus Insiders on patriotleague.org.

Live radio for the game will be provided as well. The Army call is available on WBNR (1260-AM) and WNLA (1420-AM) and also through www.GoArmyWestPoint.com. The Marist call of the game can be found on Rock 93.3 as well as on www.GoRedFoxes.com.

Batting practice for both teams will be open ot the public with the sessions running from 3:30-4:40 p.m. Marist will conduct its batting practice period from 3:30 p.m. to 4:05 p.m., followed by Army from 4:05 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. Team autograph sessions will take place from 6:00-6:15 p.m. in the stands along both baselines.
Full team introductions and pregame festivities will be followed by the first pitch of the 11th annual Rock 93.3 Hudson Valley Baseball Classic, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Those wishing to attend the clinic can pre-register at Army's official website (www.GoArmyWestPoint.com) or Marist's official website (www.GoRedFoxes.com). Individuals can also register for the event on the day of the clinic at Dutchess Stadium. The clinic has proven to be a rousing success with more than 100 area youths participating each year.

The inaugural Hudson Valley Baseball Classic was played at Dutchess Stadium on April, 19, 2006, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 2,619 – the largest to ever witness a college baseball game in the Hudson Valley at the time. That figure was surpassed the following year on May 2 when 3,016 streamed into Dutchess Stadium to watch the second Hudson Valley Baseball Classic. Despite temperatures hovering in the 30s shortly after first pitch on April 30, 2008, the event drew a crowd of 2,375. Attendance jumped to 2,754 for the 2009 edition of the rivalry with the 2010 crowd reaching 2,407. In 2011, the announced attendance was 2,422 fans while poor weather limited the crowd in 2012 to 1,602. The number jumped to 2,512 in 2013, with the 2014 Hudson Valley Baseball Classic bringing in 2,076 fans. Last season, the 10th annual Hudson Valley Baseball Classic was attended by 2,754 fans who witnessed Marist tie the series with a 3-2 victory.

Media members wishing to attend the contest should contact Army West Point's Stephen Waldman at (845) 938-2351 to arrange credentials.

For more information on the 2016 Rock 93.3 Hudson Valley Baseball Classic, please visit the official web sites of the Hudson Valley Renegades (www.hvrenegades.com), Army Athletic Association (www.GoArmyWestPoint.com) or Marist Athletic Department (www.GoRedFoxes.com).

Hudson Valley Baseball Classic Results
2015 – Marist 3, Army West Point 2
2014 – Army West Point 4, Marist 2
2013 – Army West Point 10, Marist 3
2012 – Marist 6, Army West Point 3
2011 – Marist 15, Army West Point 7
2010 – Army West Point 4, Marist 3
2009 – Army West Point 10, Marist 3
2008 – Marist 11, Army West Point 2
2007 – Marist 7, Army West Point 6
2006 – Army West Point 6, Marist 1

Army West Point Athletics

2016 Hudson Valley Baseball Classic Announced

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