The Florida A&M baseball team will have its first 100-inning fundraiser game Wednesday through Saturday. The game will be played on the Moore-Kittles baseball field on the corner of West Osceola Street and Wahnish Way.
The games will start at 6 p.m. each day, and end once the team reaches its goal of 20 innings. Saturday, the game will start at 10 a.m. and will continue for another 20 innings. The game is free to the public. However, the team is asking for a $5 donation and sponsorship.
“Coach devised a way for us to raise money without having to depend on FAMU athletics,” Adam Decker, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, said.
Head coach Willie Brown said the goal of the fundraiser is for the team and the community to have fun while raising money toward a MEAC championship.
Since this is the team’s first 100-inning game, there is no set monetary or sponsorship goal.
Brown, a FAMU graduate and former outfielder for the Florida Marlins’ minor league club, said the game is a test to set up for the following years. He said he hopes to establish a tradition within the FAMU program.
“I’m not expecting a large crowd because of the length of the game, but I’m hoping everyone who does come out will see the players’ renewed commitment to the program,” Brown said. “I’m not setting any expectations for the initial trial. I’m concerned with starting something and watching it grow.”
He enjoyed playing the 100-inning games before and after hitting the minor league.
“I’ve played in these types of games in high school and loved it,” Brown said. “The programs I coached have also done it. It’s become a part of me and my coaching style.”