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BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech head baseball coach Pete Hughes previously announced the details for the Hokies’ fifth annual “Baseball Night in Blacksburg,” and the featured speaker - which has now been confirmed - will be the recently named Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, who was introduced as the new skipper on Dec. 1 2011.

“For Bobby to keep his commitment to our event at one of his busiest times of his life speaks volumes for who he is and how important he feels about the role of college baseball,” Hughes said. “It looks like we, and the Boston Red Sox, made the right choice. Bobby is a man of integrity and commitment and recognizes the value of college baseball and Virginia Tech baseball.”

The event, which is sponsored by Bull and Bones Brewhaus and Grill, will be held in three weeks, Friday, Feb. 3 from 6-9 p.m. in the West Side Stadium Club of Lane Stadium. Tickets cost $75 per person ($35 for kids 13 and under), and can be purchased by calling the Virginia Tech baseball office at (540) 231-3671. Space is limited.

In addition to an address by Valentine, “Baseball Night in Blacksburg” will include a dinner catered by Bull and Bones, silent and live auctions for various professional sports and Virginia Tech items, and a chance to meet the entire 2012 Virginia Tech baseball team.

For those interested in a more intimate experience, a private, open-bar reception with Valentine and other notable figures will be held from 5-6 p.m. prior to the public portion of the evening. Access to the private reception can be gained by purchasing a ticket for $200. A Home Run Package of eight tickets can be purchased for $1,500.

Valentine played 10 seasons in the majors, breaking in with the Dodgers at 19 years old in 1969 after being the fifth overall pick in the 1968 amateur draft. From there, he made stops with the Angels, Padres and the Mets before finishing his career with the Mariners. He began his coaching career with the Texas Rangers in 1985 and won 581 games in eight years. He managed the Mets for seven years and 536 wins, which included winning the National League pennant in 2000. After coaching in Japan for several seasons, which included a Japan Championship Series title with the Chiba Lotte Mariners in 2005, he returned to the United States and became a baseball analyst for ESPN, before his appointment last month.

All proceeds of the banquet will go to Virginia Tech baseball and the Hokies’ efforts to improve various aspects of their program. The team recently opened a brand-new indoor baseball facility beyond the left-field foul pole at English Field, which is available for the team’s use year-round. Also, enhancements to English Field, which includes artificial turf and expanded dugouts, began in October and will be completed before the start of the 2012 season.

The Hokies will kick off their 2012 season on Feb. 7 against Bradley in the Kennesaw State Tournament in Kennesaw, Ga.

The Fifth Annual “Baseball Night in Blacksburg”

Featured speaker: Former Major League player and manager Bobby Valentine

Date: Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Where: Lane Stadium, West Side Stadium Club

Adult tickets: $75

Youth tickets: (13 and under): $35

Private reception: $200 per ticket, or a group of eight tickets for $1,500

For tickets and/or more info: VT baseball office – (540) 231-3671

Make checks payable to: Virginia Tech Baseball

Mail to: Virginia Tech Baseball, 210 Cassell Coliseum (0502), Blacksburg, VA 24061

For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Baseball).