NewsHill hosting an event for Make-a-Wish
Dec. 5 engagement to feature Hall of Famers, auction itemsBy Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
10/28/09 10:28 AM ET
Koyie Hill is hoping he can make wishes come true.The Cubs catcher will host a charity event on Dec. 5 at the Hartman Arena in Wichita, Kan., to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Kansas.
"Playing in the big leagues was always a dream of mine," Hill said. "Now I have the chance to help others see their dreams come true."
General admission tickets are available for $65, and anyone interested should contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas. There also are a limited number of VIP tables available; prices start at $1,000. The table has seating for eight on the arena floor and includes a VIP cocktail hour and autograph session.
Country music star Tracy Byrd will perform. There will be a silent auction that will include autographed baseballs from players, including Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith, and former Cubs players Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa. There will also be items signed by Albert Pujols, Don Mattingly, and a ball autographed by both Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins.
There will be signed jerseys, bats and other items such as a game-used hat from Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly, cleats from first baseman Derrek Lee, batting gloves from Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, and a Cubs team-signed "W" flag with a certificate of the date when it was flown over Wrigley Field.
Other items will include footballs signed by Mike Ditka, Roger Staubach and Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija, the former Notre Dame wide receiver. Hockey fans will be able to bid on a Sports Illustrated cover poster signed by Bobby Hull or a game-used hockey stick from Jonathan Toews.
Fans will be able to bid on the chance to be bat boy for a day at a 2010 Cubs home game, tickets to a 2010 Notre Dame home football game, and two tickets and field passes to a Cubs-Cardinals game in St. Louis.
Among the celebrities who will attend the event are Hill's teammates Ryan Dempster, Ryan Theriot, and Randy Wells; plus Andy and Adam LaRoche; Mike Pelfrey; and former Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
