BEDFORD — The crack of the bat may still be weeks away, but excitement for BNL Stars Baseball is already building. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the RBI Club will host the inaugural First Pitch Dinner, a brand-new annual tradition designed to support the BNL baseball program, strengthen community pride, and officially launch the upcoming season.
Held inside the Historic Indiana Limestone Building in Bedford, the evening promises to blend celebration, nostalgia, and shared purpose. This will bring players, families, coaches, alumni, and fans together for one unforgettable night. Guests will enjoy a full sit-down dinner catered by Mattie’s Meats, featuring brisket, salads, appetisers, sides, and dessert, along with distinguished guest speakers, a silent auction, dancing, and plenty of classic baseball storytelling. Attire is business casual.
This year’s speaking lineup includes Jeff Callahan, Reggie Joslin, Athletic Director Michael Babin, and Head Coach Steven McNabb. The program will be headlined by keynote speaker Jeff Mercer Sr., one of the most respected hitting instructors in the country. Mercer’s coaching history spans Southport High School, Franklin Community High School and Indiana University, and his impact reaches far beyond the dugout as a founding member of the Indiana Bulls Organization and a national-level educator within the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Tickets are $50 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels, offering benefits such as dinner tickets, BNL apparel, First Pitch recognition, season passes, and lifetime Star memorabilia at the highest tier.
Registration is now open via the provided link, and payment may be made by cash, check, or Venmo at @BNL-RBIClub. You can also reach out to Coach McNabb here or Anna Gates.
The hope is simple—tonight becomes tradition, tradition becomes legacy.
