CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The opening ceremony for Trevi's Homecoming happened at Whataburger Field on Friday.
The stands were packed with kids eager to see New York Yankees catcher and Coastal Bend native Jose Trevino as the host. Trevino brought multiple players from the pros with him for the celebrity game and kids got a chance to compete in the home run derby.
The celebrity game featured former Sinton Pirate Blake Mitchell and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islanders Head Baseball Coach Scott Malone.
Trevino also played catcher in the game and caught a pop up for an out.
Drake Osborn, a catcher in the New York Mets organization and Orange Grove native, said these events show younger players what is possible with players with local roots now playing in the pros.
"It's a great opportunity for, for us pro guys to come back and give back to the Corpus Christi community," Osborn said. "It's fun for all of us to get together and, and host an event like this and Trevi's done a good job with it so far."
Joey Jewell, Corpus Christi Sports Commission executive director, said the event contributed to at least 1,800 hotel room nights booked and at least $850,000 in direct spending economic activity.
The home run derby also featured youth players and some hit at least five home runs past the cones. Those kids will be competing in the tournament games this weekend in Portland.