Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal George Foster talks to a crowd of about 250 people Sunday at the Plaza Hotel during a "Meet and Greet" to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada.
On a night that was supposed to be about the national pastime and its stars, it was a fan that stole the show.
Sunday night, a dozen professional baseball players, including two Carson City natives, signed autographs and had photos taken with fans to raise money for recreation fields at the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada.
Tim Crowder, who organized the fundraiser, spoke about the importance of the club.
"I believe that it saved my life. I got in some trouble, and at 13, was dropped off at the club. I saw the field and never broke the law again," Crowder said. "Not only did it give me responsibility, the club taught how to do my first resumé, taught me how to balance a checkbook, taught me how to be a man."
JC's Clubhouse First Annual Major League Baseball Skills and Drills Clinic included visits to Boys & Girls Clubs in Carson City and Reno, the clinic held Saturday at Stadium Sports & Fitness Club in Reno and the speech on Sunday.
Sunday's event included auctions and a photographer taking pictures of fans posing with the players - including Carson High graduates Darrell and Kyle Rasner, Mike Costanzo of the Phillies, Matt Capps of the Pirates and Galena High graduate Steve Lerud, who plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
George Foster, longtime Cincinnati Reds outfielder and MVP in 1977, was the keynote speaker.
"This is what I do: I believe that from high school down, players need someone to teach them the game so they don't get discouraged," he said. "When I was growing up, people took the time to teach me, and I want to pass that on."
Dillon Culber, 9, who attends the Boys & Girls Club in Carson City, said he learned a lot from Foster at Saturday's clinic.
"He said that it's easier to slide if you keep your head up," Culber said.
During his speech, Foster talked about the importance of patience, and reminded the audience to always be working toward something.
Crowder said the fundraiser will become an annual event, even after the recreation fields are fully funded.
"We only get to live as a child once, and when we grow up, we look back on those good times to get us through. Some of these kids don't have good without the Boys & Girls Club," Crowder said. "I know it's just a baseball field, but it keeps those kids there. It's more that just grass."
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.