BALTIMORE, MD –Ben McDonald, API Sports client and the first pick in the 1989 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, will be appearing at a luncheon that is open to the public on Wednesday, June 10, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. The luncheon, which is geared toward amateur baseball coaches, parents of amateur baseball players and fans, will be held at Hightopps Backstage Grill, 2306 York Rd, Timonium, MD 21093.

McDonald, who will be representing the Baltimore Orioles at the 2009 MLB Draft Tuesday, will answer questions pertaining to pitching, his career and the various injuries and obstacles he had to deal with during his big league tenure. There also will be autograph and photo opportunities during the two-hour event. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 by calling 410-472-3500. Admission is $50 at the door.

“I’m looking forward to representing the Orioles at the draft and then getting back to Baltimore the next day to visit with some of the people who made my stay there so much fun,” McDonald said from his Denham Springs, LA, home. “Baltimore was my first big league home, and I have a lot of great memories there, so it will be a treat to come back. And anytime I can talk pitching I know that I’m in for a good time.”

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the draft in which McDonald, a Golden Spikes Award winner at LSU and an Olympic gold medalist, was selected first overall by the Baltimore Orioles. McDonald battled shoulder problems throughout his professional career, undergoing three rotator cuff surgeries, but still posted a respectable 78-70 career record with a 3.91 ERA after a stellar amateur career in which he recorded nearly 400 career strikeouts at LSU.

While at LSU McDonald put up amazing numbers. A two-time All-American, he went 14-4 with 202 strikeouts in his final season and started his junior campaign by compiling 44-2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. His career accomplishments earned him induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. He also recorded two complete games in leading the United States to the gold medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. McDonald made just two minor league starts before being called up to the big leagues, making his debut in Baltimore Sept. 6, 1989.

McDonald, 41, resides in Denham Springs with his wife Nicole and his two children, Jorie (14) and Jase (8). He coaches his kids’ softball and baseball teams and spends much of his free time hunting. His personality has earned him many appearances on nationally recognized hunting television shows and a place in the broadcast booth working on Cox telecasts of SEC baseball games.

MEDIA ADVISORY – BEN McDONALD IS AVAILABLE FOR RADIO/TV INTERVIEWS LEADING UP TO AND FOLLOWING THE MLB AMATEUR DRAFT. MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ALSO ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE LUNCHEON IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO BEN. TO SCHEDULE AN APPEARANCE OR ARRANGE A CREDENTIAL, PLEASE CONTACT SCOTT LOWE OF API AT 443-690-8946.