A Major League Baseball official will serve as guest speaker when East Central Community College holds its 2011 First-Pitch Dinner on the Decatur campus.
Mac Seibert, regional supervisor for the New York Mets, will address Diamond Warrior fans and supporters at the annual program scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria.
“We very much appreciate Mr. Seibert taking time to speak at our First-Pitch Dinner as we begin a new season,” said Neal Holliman, who enters his fifth year as head coach.
Holliman is a long-time acquaintance of Seibert, who was responsible for drafting two of Holliman’s former Diamond Warriors – Donnie Tabb of Philadelphia and ZeEricka Hall of Carthage. Tabb, a 5-11, 205-pound outfielder/short stop/pitcher, was selected in the 43rd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. Hall, a 6’, 175-pound outfielder, was drafted in the 29th round in 2009. Both are still members of the New York Mets organization.
Seibert, a native of Pensacola, Fla., was a standout baseball player and coach prior to beginning his successful career in the major leagues.
He was a member of the 1984 Tate High School baseball team, which captured state and national titles. Seibert was selected Florida Athlete of the Year following the championship season and was tapped by the Oakland Athletics in the 1984 Major League Baseball Draft.
However, Seibert chose to instead pursue his college education and athletic career at Jefferson Davis Community College, University of Miami and Jacksonville State University. His career at Jacksonville State included two NCAA World Series. In 1989, Seibert received NCAA All-American honors and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, serving part of two seasons in their minor league system.
After completing his degree, Seibert returned to Jefferson Davis Community College as a pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. He helped lead the 1994 baseball squad to state and regional championships and a berth in the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo.
In the fall of 1994, Seibert returned to Major League Baseball as a scout with the Atlanta Braves and helped assemble “The Team of the Decade” with a World Series championship in 1995 and National League title in 1996.
In 1998, Seibert moved west and spent two years with the Arizona Diamondbacks who in 2000 were crowned World Series Champions.
The following year he was promoted to National Scouting Supervisor with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He spent seven years with Devil Rays and helped produce one of the best farm systems in baseball, resulting in an American League Championship and World Series appearance in 2008.
Seibert left Tampa Bay for the Pensacola Pelicans, where he served two years as manager prior to accepting his current position with the New York Mets.
Seibert and his wife, Lorri, have three children, Mac IV, Chase, and Lauren.
Tickets to the ECCC First-Pitch Dinner are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
Souvenir Diamond Warrior items will also be available for purchase.
East Central begins the 2011 season by hosting Jeff Davis Community College Wednesday, Feb. 9, in double-header action beginning at 1 p.m. at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex.
The Diamond Warriors completed another successful season in 2010, finishing state tournament runners-up and third in Region 23 competition en route to a 39-20 record.
Holliman’s staff includes assistant coaches Michael Avalon and Hunter Vick and graduate assistant Jesus Aleman.
To purchase First-Pitch Dinner tickets, contact Coach Neal Holliman, 601-635-6374 or call toll free, 877-462-3222, ext. 374. The e-mail address is nholliman@eccc.edu.