Future Hall of Famer Here September 17 at Whataburger Field

CORPUS CHRISTI -- The Miracle League of Corpus Christi announced Friday that Houston Astros icon and future Hall of Fame second baseman Craig Biggio has accepted an invitation to speak at the first Miracle Dinner Under the Lights on Thursday, September 17, at Whataburger Field.

The function begins at 5:30 and ends at 9.

Proceeds from the dinner and the "World's Biggest Sports Auction" on the floor of the ballpark benefit the Miracle League of Corpus Christi in its endeavor to build a special baseball facility for developmentally disabled children and adults.

"We are thrilled to bring Craig Biggio to Corpus Christi for this great event," local Miracle League board chairman Brian Devaney said. "Having the function on the Whataburger Field playing surface makes it all the more special. Dreams come true at ballparks every day and it's our goal to give every child the opportunity to play baseball regardless of ability. That's a dream for so many special kids whose needs will be met and dreams realized by our own Miracle League field."

"Every child deserves a chance to play baseball," Ryan Sanders Baseball founder and CEO Reid Ryan said. "We're raising money to build a specially-designed rubberized field with no barriers. That will enable kids in wheelchairs, on crutches or walkers to play the game they love."

Ryan, Whataburger chairman/CEO Tom Dobson, Corpus Christi mayor Joe Adame and Houston businessman Bret Sanders serve as honorary chairs for the dinner.

Construction on the field, located off Airport Road across from the Gabe Lozano Golf Course, will begin after about $650,000 is raised to cover building costs. The Miracle League began raising funds in October 2006 and currently has about $135,000 toward the overall goal of $1 million (construction is $700,000, an endowment of $300,000 keeps the non-profit viable). The organization plans to raise $490,000 by September.

Individual tickets for the event are $100. Dinner sponsorship packages for tables of 10 are $1,500, $2,500 and $5,000. Dinner and Miracle League of Corpus Christi Field sponsorship packages range from $7,500 to $150,000.

Dinner will be donated by the Corpus Christi Mustangs.

To purchase tickets and inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Elisa Macias of the Corpus Christi Hooks at 361-561-4673 or Brian Devaney at 361-815-6805.

ABOUT THE MIRACLE LEAGUE:

Started in Georgia (metro Atlanta) 11 years ago, the Miracle League has grown to 200 organizations across the country, including Puerto Rico. The non-profit organization has provided thousands of children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. The Corpus Christi chapter was formed in October 2006 and is currently raising funds to build a specially-designed field in Corpus Christi. 

ABOUT CRAIG BIGGIO:

Craig Biggio is the Astros career leader in runs scored (1,844), hits (3,060), doubles (668), total bases (4,711), games played (2,850) and at-bats (10,876). He retired in 2007 after a stellar 20-year career. Biggio is the only player in MLB history to achieve all of the following milestones: 600 doubles, 250 home runs (291), 2,700 hits and 400 stolen bases (414). He and former Baltimore Orioles great Cal Ripken, Jr., are the only middle infielders to collect 3,000 hits and 1,000 extra-base hits. Biggio was a National League All-Star seven times and received five Silver Slugger Awards. He was also a four-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner and member of six Astros playoff teams. Today, Biggio serves as a special assistant to Houston general manager Ed Wade and is head baseball coach at St. Thomas High School.