PORTLAND, Ore. --- Traditionally held in the spring, Portland's annual Diamond Dinner will take place during baseball alumni weekend, which is scheduled for Oct. 5-7. The weekend features an alumni game, the annual Friends of Pilot Baseball Golf Tournament, and the 2018 Diamond Dinner, which is slated for Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center.
This year's Diamond Dinner featured speaker is former Portland head coach Terry Pollreisz, a UP Athletics Hall of Fame member. Pollreisz, who was elected into the hall in 2012, was head coach for the Pilots from 1987 to 1997. He was named the District 8 Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association in 1989, and he led the Pilots to six winning seasons. Portland won the Pac-10 Northern Division Tournament Championships and advanced to an NCAA West Regional in both 1989 and 1991. During his tenure, the Pilots posted three 30-win seasons, produced three All-Americans and 30 all-conference selections, and 27 players who moved on to the professional ranks.
Pollreisz left Portland in 1998 to coach the Everett AquaSox, the Class A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. In 2002 and 2003, he was a coach for the San Antonio Missions (AA), and he was a member of the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA) staff from 2004-2007
Doors open for the Diamond Dinner at 6 p.m. as the event begins with a social hour and live auction preview. Dinner and the program will follow at 6:45 p.m.
Now in its 23rd year, the always-popular Friends of Pilot Baseball Golf Tournament returns on Sunday, Oct. 7, and registration is available. This year's tournament will take place at Heron Lakes Golf Club, which is just a short drive from the University of Portland campus.
Registration for the tourney is only $100, while baseball alums from the past five years can register for $75. Registration includes range balls, a cart, breakfast, on-course snacks and prizes. All ages and abilities are welcome.
The weekend begins with the alumni game, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 5, at 7:00 p.m. at Joe Etzel Field. Participants are asked to RSVP in advance of the game.
