Harvey to be honored at Rawhides game
Springville’s Doug Harvey, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame last month, will be honored at Recreation Ballpark in a star-studded pregame ceremony before today’s game between the Visalia Rawhide and the Bakersfield Blaze.
Harvey, the first Tulare County resident to be enshrined in Cooperstown, will also be honored when the Doug Harvey Award will be presented to the top California League umpire in 2010. Harvey, who was a National Umpire from 1962 to 1992, is recognized as one of the greatest umpires of all-time.
Among others who will participate in Thursday’s festivities will be legendary retired NFL referee Jim Tunney, who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tunney will be addressing hundreds of local high school football players in a pregame speech.
Also scheduled to attend will be starting Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn, a graduate of Visalia’s Central Valley Christian High. Colburn has been named to several preseason watch lists as one of the top quartebacks in the country.
In addition Cal League President Charlie Blaney will present the league’s Most Valuable Player Award to Rawhide infielder Paul Goldschmidt. He will also recognize Goldschmidt and outfielder Marc Krauss’ selections to the Cal League Post-Season All-Star team, and will present Rawhide trainer Nick Oldroyd with the Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.
Wednesday’s game will also play a significant role in both teams’ playoff hopes. After Monday’s game, The Rawhide had won 15 of their last 21 games and had pulled three games ahead of Modesto in the Wild Card race in the Cal League’s North Division. Visalia is poised to return to the postseason for the first time since 2007.
Schedule for the pregame festivities will be:
5:45 p.m.: Gates open for all fans; 6: Jim Tunney addresses high school football players; 6:35: Starting lineups introduced; 6:45: Doug Harvey honored, top Cal League umpire for 2010 presented with the new Doug Harvey Award; 6:52: Presentation of Awards to Rawhide recipients; 6:56: Ceremonial first pitch to be thrown by Harvey and Tunney.
Game time is 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call (559) 732-4433.
