Kurkjian entertains in the return of Baseball Night in Blacksburg

Major League Baseball analyst spins yarns for sold-out crowd; Tech coach John Szefc introduces 2018 squad as well

February 6, 2018

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech’s annual Baseball Night in Blacksburg returned in 2018 – after a year’s hiatus – with a home run on Saturday night, as many in attendance for the first time got to meet and hear in person from Hokies head coach John Szefc and were entertained by the anecdotes of Major League Baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian.

Held on the fourth floor of Lane Stadium in the President’s Suite, guests were able to take part in a silent auction that featured such items as a lunch for two with former football coach Frank Beamer and the same with Coach Szefc, signed MLB jerseys of Chad Pinder, Joe Mantiply and Ben Rowen and a signed Mark Zagunis bat, among other items. All proceeds from the auction and event go to Virginia Tech baseball and the Hokies’ efforts to improve various aspects of their program

The after-dinner portion of the event began with Szefc recognizing the baseball alumni in the crowd, talking about his first semester in Blacksburg, introducing the 2018 team and speaking about the progress of English Field at Union Park.

Then Kurkjian, the guest speaker, took the microphone and started by mentioning the next day’s Super Bowl (which the Eagles won over the Patriots on Sunday), but said that he thought everyone in attendance can all agree that baseball is the best game because it’s the hardest to play in the world. He continued the rest of the evening telling stories about why it is, the major leaguers he’s met along the way and his career in the profession. After the event, he even stayed to talk to a long line of guests who just wanted to meet the man and take a “selfie.”

The 2018 season begins in just 10 days, as the Hokies head to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a four-game tournament, while their home opener is scheduled for Feb. 27 against Radford. This Wednesday, the Hokies will hold media day, which can be viewed live on the team’s Facebook page starting at approximately 3:30 p.m.

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