Saints celebrate 20 years of baseball
¦ Gaylord Perry to throw out ceremonial first pitch Saturday
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

GAYLORD PERRY

Brad Keller, Terry Anton, Mike Flaskey, Mark Ford and John Hudson.

Remember them?

The former members of the 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991 Limestone College baseball teams will be recognized Saturday as the college celebrates the baseball program's 20th anniversary.

The team began play in 1988 under the guidance of National Baseball League Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, who won more than 300 games in the big leagues.

Perry, who served as the team's first coach, will be in attendance Saturday.

After the introduction of Perry and the former players, the school's athletic officials will retire the jersey of former pitcher Jack Perry, who died several years ago of leukemia.

Jack, who played three years for the Saints, is the son of Gaylord Perry.

Limestone College President Dr. Walt Griffin will present a framed jersey to Jack Perry's wife and children.

Gaylord Perry will then throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the Saints' game with Lynchburg.

Current coach Chico Lombardo said Saturday will be a special day.

"This is a tribute to the former players," he said. "They were the pioneers of our program. They are the ones who got the program started.

"These guys took a leap of faith when they decided to come to Limestone and they established the groundwork for the program."

The pre-game ceremony will begin at 12:45 p.m.