Courtesy of Florida A&M Athletic Communications


ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 16, 2021 – The Florida A&M baseball team received the opportunity of a lifetime with an invite to play in the inaugural Ralph Garr-Bill Lucas HBCU Baseball Classic presented by Truist and hosted by the Atlanta Braves. 

The best-of-three series honors Braves Hall of Famers Ralph Garr and Bill Lucas and will see their alma maters -- FAMU and Grambling State -- face off at Coolray Field March 12-14. 

Rattler baseball proudly plays in recognition of one of its own - 1976 FAMU Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Bill Lucas. 

The former Rattler infielder spent over 20 years with the Braves organization and became the first African American to oversee a player personnel department in baseball. He helped draft key players such as Dale Murphy and Bob Horner and hired eventual Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox. 

Lucas was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2006 for his immeasurable impact on the Braves organization and the game. 

First pitch at Coolray Field, home of the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers, is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday, March 12, with game two on Saturday, March 13 at 7 p.m. Game three will complete the series on Sunday, March 14, starting at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and are available for purchase online at https://www.ticketmaster.com/coolray-field-tickets-lawrenceville/venue/115610 or at the Gwinnett Stripers Ticket Office the day of each game starting at 5:00 p.m. and at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Tickets are limited and will be socially distant.

For more information on the Ralph Garr-Bill Lucas HBCU Baseball Classic, please visit www.braves.com/hbcuclassic.