Meet the Gatemen at First Pitch Dinner on June 9

May 29, 2016

Mingling with Major League Baseball prospects is a rare opportunity.

On June 9, fans will have the chance to do just that at the inaugural Gatemen First Pitch Dinner. The event, a fundraiser that will feature a former New England Patriot and the Red Sox World Series trophies, benefits the Wareham Gatemen baseball team. It will be held at the Rosebrook Event Center, located at 50 Rosebrook Place.

An amateur league team, the Gatemen attract the best college players from across the country each summer. Games are played at Spillane Field in Wareham.

Players will be in attendance at the dinner where there will be raffles, live music and speakers, such as WBZ-TV broadcaster Dick Flavin.

Gatemen General Manager Andrew Lang said the team usually holds an annual dinner for players and staff before opening day. This year, Lang said the community was invited.

“We get to interact with the players all summer,” said Lang. “We thought it would be a great idea to combine that event with a fundraiser so anyone could have a chance to meet the players and coaching staff.”

Joining Flavin at the dinner will be former New England Patriot fullback Patrick Pass.

A member of the teams that won Super Bowls in 2001, 2003 and 2004, Pass has a strong baseball connection as well. In 1996, he was drafted by the Florida Marlins and played in their minor league system while simultaneously suiting up for the University of Georgia’s football team.

Besides those sports figures, New York Times best-selling author Casey Sherman will speak, too.

Sherman authored and co-authored two books that served as the inspiration for films. His book “The Finest Hours” was released as a movie by the same name in January that starred Chris Pine and Casey Affleck.

Sherman also wrote “Boston Strong” about the marathon bombings. The film “Patriots Day,” starring Mark Wahlberg, is based on the book.

Tickets cost $40 and are available online at the Gatemen’s website or by contacting Danielle Curran at marketing@gatemen.org. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

“It’s going to be a fun event and we hope people will come out for what will be a good time,” said Lang.