APRIL 15, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Admission and parking will be free for Friday’s baseball game between Grand Rapids Community College and Kellogg Community College at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps.
The doubleheader is a celebration of community colleges and their sports programs, and looks to be an enjoyable afternoon with two top teams competing in a doubleheader. Games are scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and 4:30.
The games also will be live streamed on the Internet by Michigan Sports Radio at MichiganSportsRadio.com.
The health and safety of spectators and participants is a top priority. GRCC is strictly following state and local health authority protocols at LMCU Ballpark, formerly known as Fifth Third Ballpark. Attendance will be limited to 2,500 spectators – far below the ballpark’s 9,000-person capacity. All attendees will be required to have their temperature checked, wear a face covering, and respect social distancing guidelines.
Spectators are asked to park in the lot on the ballpark’s south side, near the main entrance, and enter through Gate A.
April is Community College Month, and the game is intended to be a celebration of the role the colleges play, highlighting students and alumni.
Fans arriving at the park will be greeted by GRCC Music students Matthew Ghanasekharan, Christian Blanchard, Jalen Finn and Elijah Mikel, who will be performing near the entrance.
The National Anthem will be performed by students Megan Meadows and Anastasia Fiorenzo, who are voice majors completing their Associate of Music degree, studying under the direction of professor Emily Smith.
The Raiders are 14-7 and coming off sweeping a Wednesday doubleheader against Aquinas College’s Junior Varsity.
GRCC’s baseball team has a storied tradition, with five national championships, 19 regional championships and 30 conference championships, and is off to a strong start in 2021, with a 10-5 record.
The Raiders are coached by Mike Eddington, who played two seasons at Grand rapids Junior College for legendary coach Tom Hofmann. He was part of the team that placed sixth in the Junior College World Series and was an honorable mention All-American.
Eddington transferred to Michigan State University, where he broke the Spartan home run record, previously held by former Detroit Tigers star Kirk Gibson -- a record that still stands today.
The Bruins, boasting a 16-4 record, are among the top teams in the nation, currently ranked sixth by the National Junior College Athletic Association in Division 2. The team finished seventh in the 2019 NJCAA D2 World Series, and won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association state and conference championships.
GRCC appreciates the partnership with the West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, playing in the new High-A Central League.