1999 Clemson Baseball Opening Day Today

February 12, 1999

Clemson, SC-The Clemson baseball team will open the 1999 season against Kansas State today at Tiger Field. The game is slated to begin at 3 p.m. with former Tiger Kris Benson throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Clemson is ranked among the top-20 in all three college baseball polls heading into the 1999 season. The Tigers are coming off a 43-16 campaign which saw coach Jack Leggett’s club advance to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th consecutive season.

The Tigers will be without the services of 1998 ACC Rookie of the Year Patrick Boyd. Boyd, an outfielder, has an injured shoulder that will require orthroscopic surgery. Leggett expects Boyd to miss two to three weeks of the beginning of the season.

Kansas State opened its season last weekend and comes into the Clemson series with a record of 1-2.

Former Tigers Benson and David Miller will sign autographs on the Tiger Field concourse behind home plate beginning at 2 p.m. today. Benson was a consensus National Player of the Year and the first overall pick of the Major League draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996. Miller, a 1995 All-America first baseman, is now with the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Junior right-handed pitcher Ryan Mottl (Florissant, MO) will be Clemson’s opening day starter. Mottl, a third-team preseason All-American according to Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America, finished last season with a record of 9-4.

Kansas State and Clemson will face each other on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Clemson will unveil its Olympic Showcase on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to view the Showcase in the player’s lounge.

Sunday, fans with Clemson-Florida State men’s basketball tickets can receive free admission to the baseball game.

Gates to Tiger Field will open one hour prior to game time. Tickets for adults are $5 and $2 for children and senior citizens.

1999 Clemson Opening Weekend Capsule

Friday, Feb. 12 vs. Kansas State, 3 p.m. Clemson Starting Pitcher: Ryan Mottl, RHP (9-4, 4.81 ERA in 1998) Special Events: Former Tigers Kris Benson and David Miller autograph session, 2-3 p.m. Kris Benson throwing out first pitch

Saturday, Feb. 13 vs. Kansas State, 2 p.m. Clemson Starting Pitcher: Brian Adams, LHP (6-2, 4.22 ERA in 1998) Special Events: Former Tigers Kris Benson and David Miller autograph session, 1-2 p.m. Unveiling of Olympic Showcase at 1:30 p.m. David Miller throwing out first pitch

Sunday, Feb. 14 vs. Kansas State, 1 p.m. Clemson Starting Pitcher: Mike Paradis, RHP (5-1, 5.37 ERA in 1998) Special Events: Fans with Clemson-Florida State men’s basketball tickets receive free admission Former Tiger Matthew LeCroy throwing out first pitch