01/28/12 — Wayne County Hot Stove League banquet on tap

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Wayne County Hot Stove League banquet on tap

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 28, 2012 11:11 PM

An evening with elite personalities.

That's what area baseball enthusiasts can expect when the sixth installment of the Wayne County Hot Stove League banquet takes place Monday evening at Lane Tree Golf Club.

The social begins at 6:30 p.m. and the banquet starts at 7. Tickets remain available -- $15 for adults and $10 for those 18 and under at the door.

Goldsboro Mayor Al King will deliver the welcome speech.

Brothers Jerry and Johnny Narron, who will coach together on the Milwaukee Brewers' staff this spring, are the guest speakers. The Brewers won the National League Central Division championship a year ago, but were eliminated by eventual World Series champion St. Louis.

Members of the Wayne County Post 11 team will get recognized for their runner-up performance in the 2011 N.C. American Legion State tournament this past summer.

And individual awards will be presented in honor of the late Clyde King and John Thomas, Doyle Whitfield, George Whitfield and Jerry Narron.

Proceeds from the banquet will help provide scholarships for kids to attend the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in honor of King and Thomas, who selflessly gave their respective lives to the game of baseball and influenced so many people within their respective communities.

"We also want to be able to assist baseball programs at the county high schools and Babe Ruth baseball," said Larry Gerrard, one of many Hot Stove organizers who works diligently behind the scenes each season. "If we can get beyond baby steps, we can do some of these long-term things that we plan on (doing in the beginning)."

Fans can purchase Hot Stove League T-shirts for $10.