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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Celebrating a decade of support for the Virginia Baseball program, the 10th annual Step Up to the Plate fundraiser will be held Friday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena.

Several former Cavalier players who currently play professional baseball will be in attendance and participate in the speaking program with special guest, Kyle Peterson, ESPN’s college baseball analyst and former pitcher with the Milwaukee Brewers. Peterson will serve as the special host for the event.

Tickets for Step Up To The Plate go on sale at 9 a.m. Nov. 14 and can be ordered in person at the UVa Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall, by phone at 1-800-542-UVA1 or online at VirginiaSports.com. Sponsored tables may be reserved by calling the Virginia Athletics Foundation at 800-626-8723. Proceeds from the event will support the Virginia Baseball program.

Ticket prices are $70 for adults, $35 for Virginia Baseball alumni, $30 for children 12 and under and $20 for current UVa students. A Family Four Pack is available, which includes two adult and two youth tickets for $175. Sponsored tables for the event are $2,500 and include a reserved table for a party of eight, admission to the pre-event reception and eight General Admission baseball season tickets (no trade opportunity for Reserved seats). The pre-event reception for table sponsors will begin at 5:15 p.m. There is also a group or team special rate with the purchase of 20 or more tickets – $50 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.

Parking for the event is free in the John Paul Jones Arena and University Hall lots.

The night begins with an autograph session with the 2012 Virginia baseball team and silent auction at 5:45 p.m. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. with comments from UVa head coach Brian O’Connor as well as the introduction of the 2012 team. A buffet barbecue dinner will follow.

After dinner, Peterson and former Cavalier greats will speak to the event audience. A live auction will close the night. The silent and live auctions will include autographed memorabilia from Virginia and the professional ranks, as well as game tickets and more.

Peterson has worked as an ESPN baseball analyst since 2003, contributing to ESPN’s Road to Omaha college baseball coverage. In 2004, he expanded his role, serving as field reporter and analyst for Major League Baseball telecasts. He added to his College World Series responsibilities in 2004, serving as field reporter and analyst for ESPN’s game coverage.

Peterson played professional baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers organization. A right-handed pitcher, Peterson was the Brewers’ first round draft pick (13th overall selection) in the 1997 amateur draft. He made his Major League debut July 19, 1999, becoming the third player from the 1997 draft to play in the big leagues. He retired in 2003 after missing much of the 2001 campaign and all of 2002 with injuries.

Peterson played collegiate baseball at Stanford and was named National Freshman of the Year in 1995, posting a record of 14-1 with a 2.96 ERA. He earned recognition as the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year in 1995 and 1997, leading the Cardinal to the College World Series both seasons.

2012 Virginia Baseball Step Up to the Plate
Special Host:
ESPN’s Kyle Peterson
Date: Friday, January 20, 2012, 6:30 p.m.
Location: John Paul Jones Arena
Parking: John Paul Jones Arena and University Hall
Adult Tickets: $70
Virginia Baseball Alumni: $35
Youth Tickets (12 & under): $30
Current UVa students: $20
Family Four Pack (2 adult, 2 youth tickets): $175
Sponsored Tables*: $2,500
*Includes: eight tickets to pre-event reception with Kyle Peterson and other special baseball guests, eight reserved table tickets to Step Up to the Plate and eight General Admission 2012 Virginia baseball season tickets (no trade opportunity for Reserved seats)

Event Timeline:
5:15 p.m.

Pre-event reception for table sponsors
5:45 p.m.
Doors open, silent auction begins and autograph session with 2012 Virginia Baseball Team
6:30 p.m.
Program begins
7:10 p.m.
Buffet barbecue dinner begins; Cavalier greats and Kyle Peterson will speak to the audience following dinner; the night concludes with a live auction

For Tickets – call the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-542-UVA1; for tables call the Virginia Athletics Foundation at 1-800-626-8723

Virginia Baseball poster, schedule card, magnet and t-shirt for all in attendance

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