Mark Ellis will be back at McKethan Stadium on Friday with his 1996 Gator teammates.
Ellis To Throw Out First Pitch; Promotions For Opening Weekend
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As part of the festivities welcoming the 1996 University of Florida Baseball Team back to McKethan Stadium for its 20th anniversary of capturing the SEC Championship and advancing to the NCAA College World Series, former Gator standout Mark Ellis will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday as No. 1 Florida kicks off its 2016 season against FGCU at 7 p.m.
A four-year letterwinner at UF who was part of two SEC Championships and two trips to Omaha in 1996 & 1998, Ellis played for 12 seasons in the Majors with the Oakland Athletics (2002-11), Colorado Rockies (2011), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-13) and the St. Louis Cardinals (2014). Over 1,435 career regular-season games, he batted .262 with 690 runs, 550 RBI, 438 walks, 257 doubles, 105 homers, 25 triples and 82 stolen bases. In addition, Ellis participated in the playoffs four times, in 2002, 2003 and 2006 with the A's in the American League Divisional Series and he advanced to the National League Championship Series with the Dodgers in 2013.
Ellis still remains among the top-10 on several of the school's all-time charts: first in runs scored (240), tied for second in at bats (941), second in total bases (500), hits (319) and doubles (61), fifth in fielding assists (624), tied for seventh in games started (211) and homers (36), eighth in RBI (164) and stolen bases (56), eighth in sacrifice bunts (20), 10th in games played (224) and tied for 11th in sacrifice flies (12). He was the NCAA South I Regional Most Valuable Player in 1998 when the Gators claimed the Regional held in Gainesville to secure a CWS berth.
Friday, February 19 – 7 p.m. – Opening Night
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A four-year letterwinner at UF who was part of two SEC Championships and two trips to Omaha in 1996 & 1998, Ellis played for 12 seasons in the Majors with the Oakland Athletics (2002-11), Colorado Rockies (2011), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-13) and the St. Louis Cardinals (2014). Over 1,435 career regular-season games, he batted .262 with 690 runs, 550 RBI, 438 walks, 257 doubles, 105 homers, 25 triples and 82 stolen bases. In addition, Ellis participated in the playoffs four times, in 2002, 2003 and 2006 with the A's in the American League Divisional Series and he advanced to the National League Championship Series with the Dodgers in 2013.
Ellis still remains among the top-10 on several of the school's all-time charts: first in runs scored (240), tied for second in at bats (941), second in total bases (500), hits (319) and doubles (61), fifth in fielding assists (624), tied for seventh in games started (211) and homers (36), eighth in RBI (164) and stolen bases (56), eighth in sacrifice bunts (20), 10th in games played (224) and tied for 11th in sacrifice flies (12). He was the NCAA South I Regional Most Valuable Player in 1998 when the Gators claimed the Regional held in Gainesville to secure a CWS berth.
Friday, February 19 – 7 p.m. – Opening Night
- Presenting sponsor: American Campus Communities
- Opening Night T-Shirt Giveaway
The first 500 fans in attendance receive 2016 Opening Night T-Shirts! - 1996 CWS Team Reunion
Arrive early for a special pre-game recognition featuring Mark Ellis, David Eckstein, and more greats from the 1996 squad. - All-New Emcees
New for 2016, in-game hosts Allison and Lillian will be roaming the stands to interact with fans throughout the game. - Dance Marathon Night
UF Organizations are encouraged to attend the game to earn "Spirit Points," with $250 awarded to the organization with the most people and $250 awarded to the organization with the highest percentage of people.
Check-in at the Dance Marathon table at 6:30-7:15 p.m. on Dizney Plaza and check-out is completed at the end of the sixth inning. - Rowdy Reptile Check-In
Check-in and earn three (3) Rowdy Reptiles Rewards points toward great prizes all year long - Students - Free Pizza
The first 100 students in attendance receive free pizza on Dizney Plaza. - Pepsi Family Night
Families can purchase four (4) General Admission tickets, four (4) hot dogs, and four (4) sodas for only $20. - Gator Booster Night
All Gator Booster members with valid ID receive 2-for-1 reserved bleacher seating.
- Presenting sponsor: American Campus Communities
- Schedule Keytag Giveaway
The first 2,000 fans will receive schedule keytags, courtesy of FOX Sports Sun. - Seniors Night
Fans, 55 and older with a valid ID, receive 2-for-1 reserved bleacher seats by visiting the Gator Ticket Booths. - Military/First Responder Appreciation Night
Military members, veterans and first responders with a valid ID receive 2-for-1 reserved bleacher seats by visiting the Gator Ticket Booth.
- Presenting sponsor: American Campus Communities
- Family Sunday's
All general admission tickets are one dollar ($1) and there will be one dollar ($1) popcorn and one dollar ($1) 12 ounce sodas. - Community National Anthem
Prior to the game, all kids 12 and under can run onto the field and stand with Gator players during the National Anthem. - Academy Sports and Outdoors Circle the Bases
All kids, 12 and under, will be permitted to circle the bases with Albert immediately following the game! - Kids Korner
Kids Korner will be set up on the concourse by third base with coloring pages and games for kids.
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