Military Appreciation Day is scheduled for Saturday at UT Tyler Ballpark as both the nationally ranked Patriot softball and baseball teams will welcome veterans along with current servicemen and women with free admission to the games.
The No. 13-ranked UT Tyler baseball team kicks off a Saturday doubleheader with American Southwest Conference rival LeTourneau at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The two teams start the series at 6 p.m. today.
Heroes from the Wounded Warrior Project will throw out the first pitch at the baseball game on Saturday; just one of the many ways UT Tyler will honor the servicemen and women.
The No. 3-ranked Patriot softball team will host No. 14 East Texas Baptist in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, with the first pitch being thrown out by Tom Cronin, father of senior outfielder Joey Cronin.
UT Tyler will wear special hats specially designed for Military Appreciation Day, while fans also have a chance to win free giveaways.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will have an interactive vehicle as well, giving fans a chance to find out more about our veterans.
UT Tyler officials said the school is proud to support the Wounded Warrior Project, whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of the injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs, the organization said. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla.
To get involved and learn more, please visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
The Patriots baseball team (26-8) leads the American Southwest Conference East Division with a record of 9-3, one game ahead of Louisiana College (18-14, 8-4). LeTourneau (18-12, 8-7) is third. These are the final three regular season home games for the UT Tyler squad.
The Patriots softball team (30-2) leads the ASC East with a record of 15-1.
The only team to hand the squad a loss in league play is East Texas Baptist (27-7). The Lady Tigers are second in the division at 15-3.
PATRIOTS NETTERS
The UT Tyler tennis teams are preparing for a big weekend at the Summers Tennis Center, with Alumni Weekend planned for Saturday at 10 a.m.
On Saturday, former men's and women's players will return to campus to face off against the current UT Tyler men's and women's teams as a part of the Alumni Weekend celebration.
On Sunday, the Patriots will play host to the nationally ranked Trinity Tigers, beginning at 9 a.m.
For the men, it is a showdown with Trinity coming in at No. 7 in the country, while the Patriots are the No. 11 team in the nation.
Trinity's ladies are ranked No. 17 in the country, facing a UT Tyler team that has won three straight matches.
The first 50 fans who show up Sunday morning will get free Fuzzy's breakfast tacos and a chance to take part in the Senior Day activities.
TYLER FIRST ACES
The UT Tyler and Tyler Junior College tennis teams will team up to host the Tyler First Aces event on Tuesday at the JoAnn Medlock Murphy Tennis Center on the campus of TJC.
The tennis players will be instructing 10 & under tennis players, said co-coordinator Bruce Carter. There will also be an exhibition going on by the Apaches and Patriots players.
Former TJC coach John Peterson is co-coordinator with Carter.
The Boys and Girls Club of East Texas is involved as well as other area youngsters. Equipment will be provided, Carter said.
Carter said the purpose of the event is to expose youngsters to the game of tennis.
Brookshire's will provide drinks and ice cream.
There will also be prizes.
The event is sponsored by the United States Tennis Association, the Northeast Texas Tennis Association and Brookshire's Grocery Co.
For more information, contact Carter at 903-593-2530.