Grand Slam Fish Fry Monday Night

Middle Tennessee head baseball coach Steve Peterson has announced the annual Grand Slam Fish Fry fundraiser will take place on Monday, October 8, at 6 p.m. at the Tennessee Livestock Center on the Middle Tennessee campus. (Joe Imel)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee baseball's annual Grand Slam Fish Fry fundraiser will take place on Monday, October 8, at 6 p.m. at the Tennessee Livestock Center on the Middle Tennessee campus.

"We fried over 600 pounds of catfish and 50 gallons of gumbo last year," head coach Steve Peterson said.

"The Fish Fry is one of our biggest events of the year, an annual event we've been hosting since 1984. It's a great way to socialize with everyone and raise money for the baseball program. It's great food, fun and entertainment, and certainly an event you don't want to miss."

The event will feature country whole fried catfish with all the trimmings prepared by Shelbyville's own "Big Hoss" Cartwright; authentic Cajun gumbo by our Louisiana transplant, Blue Raider legend John Stanford; as well as hot dogs for the kids.

Russ & Becky Jeffers Country Band from Jack Daniels Distillery will be on hand for the evening's entertainment.

Tickets to the Grand Slam Fish Fry are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children six and under are admitted free of charge.

This year the team in conjunction with the Blue Raider Athletic Association will hold a Raffle for a pair of chair back seats in the new baseball stadium that will open in 2008.

Tickets for the raffle are $20 each. A lucky attendee will receive two chair back seats above the crosswalk and in front of the press box, which would normally cost $2,000, for $20. Season tickets will be included the first year only with these seats.

There will also be a small silent auction along with possible live auction items that will be available for those attending to participate in.

Some of the silent auction items are:

1. MT Baseball Team Package including autographed team baseball, game jersey, game hat, and coach's shirt. 2. Dinner for 4 at Fleming's Steakhouse 3. Set of 4 Automobile Tires 4. Brinkman Gas Smoker and Fryer 5. Taylor Made Golf Bag 6. Atlanta Braves Chipper Jones autographed item 7. Florida Marlins autographed baseballs by Dontelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera 8. Round of golf for 4 at Temple Hills Golf Club

The live auction will include:

Cajun Gumbo Dinner for 10 prepared by former Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach John Stanford and with Coach Steve Peterson on a pontoon boat at Sligo Boat Dock on Center Hill Lake

Tickets are available at the Middle Tennessee Ticket Office located at Gate 1A of Floyd Stadium and through the Middle Tennessee BRAA office.