Peoria, IL -- From a news release:

Central Illinois played host to a group of current and former Major League Baseball players recently, including Peoria-area product Ben Zobrist, at the annual Christian Center “Play with the Pros” event.

Highlighting the event was Eureka High School graduate Ben Zobrist who became a World Series Champion last fall with the Kansas City Royals and signed in the off-season with the Chicago Cubs. As a young man, Zobrist was affiliated with Christian Center programs.

Zobrist was joined at the event by fellow Major League Baseball players Zach McAllister of the Cleveland Indians (and Chillicothe) and Pat Venditte of the Toronto Blue Jays as well as former Major League Baseball players Brian Shouse of the Tampa Bay Rays (and Bradley University), Rick Short of the Washington Nationals (and Western Illinois University), and Kyle Hudson of the Baltimore Orioles.

Five other current and former Minor League Baseball players from the area also helped with the event. Ben Zobrist was more than happy to help out. “When you make it to the major leagues and get an opportunity to do something that I really didn’t think possible when I was a little kid growing up here — the fact that it is within reach for some central Illinois kids is fun,” he said.

Zach McAllister echoed Zobrist’s sentiment, saying “It’s a great honor for me to be able to come back home and help out. It definitely makes you appreciate what you have and what you’re able to do.”

A day-long baseball clinic for area youth, the Play with the Pros event, was envisioned by Brian Shouse and Ben Zobrist, then teammates with the Tampa Bay Rays, while playing catch in the outfield on a practice day. The most recent event marked the seventh in its history. Warming a cold day under the
protective Avanti’s Dome in Pekin, the December 19th event welcomed 124 kids.

Each child participating received one-on-one instruction from the pros and even got to play in a sandlot game of baseball with the pros! Sponsors and the pros, who all volunteered their time, saw to it that the event raised over $15,000
for Christian Center youth athletics programs.

This annual event takes place each December and is announced on the Christian Center’s website over the summer. Since 1948, the Christian Center in Peoria has provided area kids with a wholesome and challenging athletics programs. This year, more than 1,900 central Illinois kids will play in Christian Center baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball programs. Scholarships are available. For more information visit www.thechristiancenter.cc
       --Phil Newton
For more information: Chad Bailey, Christian Center Managing Director
(309) 208-9614 [email protected]