In the fall semester, baseball is allowed one day of “non-traditional” competition, per NCAA rules. On Sunday, October 7, SUNY Cortland will use that allowed date to host two-time NCAA Div. III champion Marietta College of Ohio for an exhibition doubleheader that will support the United Way for Cortland County.

Last fall, Cortland traveled to Marietta for a doubleheader that raised money for the Strecker Cancer Center at Marietta Memorial Hospital. The “Etta Express” agreed to return the favor and travel to Cortland this autumn and will play the Red Dragons in a pair of nine-inning games at Wallace Field beginning at 11 a.m.

There will be no admission charge for the games, but donations will be collected, a 50-50 raffle will be held and commemorative t-shirts, designed by local company Graph Tex, will be sold. Money raised will be given to the United Way for Cortland County to support its 14 local member agencies.

Fans can also contribute by going online and downloading a donation card at:
http://cortlandunitedway.org/waystogive/individual.htm. Those using the donation card are asked to write “2012 Cortland Fall Baseball Event” underneath the signature on the form before sending it in.

Christella Yonta, a United Way board member and its 74th Annual Campaign Co-Chair, and her 9-year-old son, Nicholas, will be on hand to throw out the first pitch prior to the opening game. In between games, promotional activities will be held for kids in attendance with prizes available. In addition, military veterans are encouraged to attend the games and will be recognized prior to the start of the second contest. Concessions will be available to purchase during the doubleheader from Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC).

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