Corpus Christi Texas

[Shawn_E.]

The Corpus Christi Hooks will host the second annual South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet on Thursday, January 26th, at the Omni Bayfront Hotel in downtown Corpus Christi. The event will take place at the hotel’s Corpus Christi Ballroom, beginning at 6:30 pm.

“Last year over 350 people attended our first banquet and it really helped to set the tone for the 2005 season,†said Hooks’ President and General Manager J.J. Gottsch. “We’re adding some new touches for this year’s event that we feel will enhance the presentation as we strive to raise awareness about the start of the baseball season – not just ours but the coming high school and collegiate seasons as well.â€

New in 2006 will be the awards for the Hooks’ Player and Pitcher of the Year from the inaugural 2005 campaign. Awards will also be doled out to the professional and collegiate players and pitchers of the year. All will have ties to the greater Corpus Christi area.

A feature of the January 26th event, as it was last year, will be the presentation of the South Texas Pre-Season High School All-Star Team. Members of that squad will be revealed in the sports section of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times on Wednesday, December 21st.

The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which last year was bestowed upon Burt Hooton, a graduate of Richard King High School who went on to an illustrious 15-year career as a pitcher in the major leagues. Hooton continues to work in the game as a pitching coach in the Astros’ farm system. This year’s honoree will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the January 26th event are being combined this year with the Houston Astros’ Caravan Luncheon, which is slated for Tuesday, February 7th. Individual tickets are priced at $100 and are available by contacting the Hooks at 361-561-HOOK (4665). Corporate table sponsorships are also available and will also include the Astros’ luncheon.

“We’re also excited to introduce our new ‘Field of Dreams’ charity drive for this event,†added Gottsch. Proceeds from the banquet and the Astros’ luncheon will benefit this new Hooks’ charity, which is designed to enhance the quality and use of youth league baseball and softball facilities throughout the Corpus Christi area.

“We plan to solicit letters from area youth leagues, asking them to make a case for the need for improvements at their facilities,†explained Gottsch. “From the entries we receive, we’ll select one field each year that will benefit from the full weight of our charity drive. Our award-winning Field Superintendent, Brad Detmore, will plan and supervise the improvements at the chosen youth league field. The goal here is to give back to thecommunity by upgrading the facilities for children throughout our area.â€

 

[Shawn_E.]

Jason Hirsch will most likely be the Pitcher of the Year.

 

[Shawn_E.]

Player of the Year would most likely be Josh Anderson.