Vanderbilt Baseball Stars Named To All-SEC Preseason Teams; TV Schedule Released

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Enrique Bradfield Jr. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Vanderbilt baseball stars Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Carter Holton continue to be recognized as they have been named to the preseason All-SEC teams.

Bradfield was named to the first team and Holton earned a spot on the second team. The Commodores were picked third in the SEC East behind Tennessee and Florida.

Bradfield was a consensus All-American in his sophomore campaign in 2022. He posted a .317 average with eight home runs and 36 RBIs while leading the SEC and ranking second nationally in stolen bases, going 46-for-46 on the season. He also led the SEC with five triples and earned first team All-SEC honors.

Holton made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2022. The southpaw earned unanimous Freshman All-American recognition as well as Freshman All-SEC. Holton ranked sixth in the SEC with a 3.14 ERA and compiled an 8-4 record with a pair of complete games. His 97 strikeouts were second-most on the team.

Carter Holton. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Fans will have many chances to catch Bradfield, Hoton and the rest of the Vandy boys on television throughout the 2023 season. 10 Vanderbilt baseball games will be televised during the 2023 season on ESPN’s family of networks.

The Commodores will play on ESPNU three times, ESPN2 twice and SEC Network five times. All three games against rival Tennessee will be televised with games two and three appearing on ESPN2. The Ole Miss series along with the Alabama series will also feature multiple televised games. 

The television slate begins March 16 against defending National Champion Ole Miss. Game one will be on ESPNU and the series finale (March 18) will be on the SEC Network. The Commodores return to television April 21-23 for the Tennessee series. Game one will be televised on SEC Network with the final two contests on ESPN2.

Vanderbilt then faces Kentucky on April 30 on the SEC Network before facing Alabama on ESPNU May 4 and on the SEC Network May 5. The road contest at Louisville on May 9 will air on ESPNU. Vandy wraps up the television slate May 12 against Florida on the SEC Network.

All other home games not scheduled for a national broadcast will appear on SEC Network+.

Vanderbilt opens the 2023 season Feb. 17-19 at the College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas. The Dores will kick off the season on Friday against TCU before playing Oklahoma State on Saturday and Texas on Sunday. All three games will be streamed on FloSports.

First Horizon Park To Host All 4 Lou Showdown Featuring Vanderbilt, Belmont & Lipscomb On March 14 & 21

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The Nashville Sounds and First Horizon Park have announced that the All 4 Lou Showdown, a two-game college baseball series featuring Vanderbilt, Belmont and Lipscomb, will take place on March 14 and 21.

The games between the Commodores, Bruins and Bisons will raise money for the Live Like Lou Fund for ALS Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).

The Live Like Lou Fund focuses on defeating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The foundation has been working with VUMC for the past two years, committing more than $3.5 million to fund ALS research.

“We’re honored to partner with the Live Like Lou Foundation to raise money and awareness to those affected by ALS,” says Sounds General Manager Adam English. “It’s always beneficial when you can host an event that helps showcase the Nashville community while also supporting a great cause.”

On Tuesday, March 14, the Commodores play the Belmont Bruins in a non-conference matchup. This marks the sixth time the two teams will play at First Horizon Park. Belmont will serve as the home team and occupy the third base dugout. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, March 21, Vanderbilt will square off against the Lipscomb Bisons in a non-conference game. The Commodores will serve as the home team and occupy the third base dugout. The 2023 matchup is the fifth between the two programs at the home of the Sounds. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $10 for general admission seating. With each ticket purchased, four dollars will go directly to funding ALS research at VUMC.

There are a variety of other sponsorship opportunities available which include MVP Level ($493), All-Star Level ($1,080), Iron Horse Level ($2,130) and Hall of Fame Level ($4,444). These options provide reserved Club Level seating.

Vandy’s Enrique Bradfield Jr., Carter Holton Named Preseason All-America

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Featured Top-Bottom: Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Carter Holton. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

With the season just a few weeks away, Vanderbilt baseball players continue to get recognized as outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. and pitcher Carter Holton were both named to Baseball America’s and D1 Baseball’s All-America teams.

Bradfield Jr. was named to the first team by Baseball America and the second team by D1 Baseball while Holton was named to Baseball America’s third team and D1 Baseball’s second team.

Bradfield Jr. was a consensus All-American in his sophomore campaign in 2022. He posted a .317 average with eight home runs and 36 RBIs while leading the SEC and ranking second nationally in stolen bases, going 46-for-46 on the season. He also led the SEC with five triples and earned first team All-SEC honors.

Holton made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2022. The southpaw earned unanimous Freshman All-America recognition and was Freshman All-SEC. Holton ranked sixth in the SEC with a 3.14 ERA and compiled an 8-4 record with a pair of complete games. His 97 strikeouts were second-most on the team.

The duo has also been named to the Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game preseason All-America teams.

Vandy is currently ranked No. 6 in Baseball America’s preseason poll and No. 10 in D1 Baseball’s poll.

The Commodores open the 2023 season Feb. 17-19 at the College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas.

Nashville Sounds Announce Premium, All-Inclusive Season Ticket Membership For 2023

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First Horizon Park. Photo: Courtesy of the Sounds

The Nashville Sounds have announced a new, all-inclusive season ticket membership for the Houchens Insurance Group (HIG) Club seats for the upcoming 2023 season.

Available in three plans, the ticket membership includes two hours of access to a rotating, chef-inspired menu and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in the Brauer Lounge. Access begins when gates open and runs for two hours.

The plan includes non-alcoholic drinks, canned beer and seltzers, and access to the Club Level concession stand menu. There will also be a dessert bar which will be available mid-game that includes cookies, brownies and soft-serve ice cream.

The HIG Club, located at sections 207-210, offer fully padded, suite-style seats and offer some of the best seats at First Horizon Park.

Membership plans start at $1,250 per seat for a partial season (18 games), $2,500 per seat for a half season (38 games) and $4,500 per seat for a full season (75 games).

“Our team is always looking for ways to constantly improve the game day experience, and this premium, all-inclusive ticket membership reflects that,” says Nashville Sounds General Manager Adam English. “We are thrilled to introduce a membership that creates value for fans and gives them access to the first-class amenities that First Horizon Park has to offer.”

Season ticket memberships provide families, businesses and fans with the best seating options, game day experience, amenities and benefits First Horizon Park has to offer. Exclusive membership benefits include:

  • Significant savings – members receive up to 45% off single-game ticket prices.
  • Free parking – members can save up to $1,000 on parking fees around First Horizon Park.
  • Membership events – exclusive invites to VIP events such as batting practice on the field.
  • Pro Shop discount – receive 15% off all purchases.
  • VIP Card – Enjoy discounts at select Germantown restaurants with special membership card.

Nashville Sounds Foundation Now Accepting Scholarship Applications

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The Nashville Sounds Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2023 Scholarship Program. The foundation will award four scholarships worth $2,500 each to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2023.

The program, which began in 2016, has awarded $70,000 in scholarships and is designed to assist Nashville and Middle Tennessee students in paying for college tuition during their freshman year.

“The Nashville Sounds Foundation is grateful to support Middle Tennessee area students in their pursuit of higher education for the eighth straight year,” says Nashville Sounds General Manager Adam English. “We’re extremely thankful for our fans whose support through fundraising efforts and donations makes this scholarship program possible.”

Interested seniors must complete the application process, which includes submitting a 500-or-less word essay on mental health and bodily nutrition in the workplace. In addition to the essay, each submission must include at least two letters of recommendation from a teacher and/or coach and an official high school transcript. The scholarship will be awarded based on the culmination of the student’s schoolwork, extracurricular activities and involvement in the community.

Each winner will receive tickets to a select 2023 Nashville Sounds game and will be recognized during a pre-game ceremony. The deadline to be considered for the 2023 scholarships is Friday, Feb. 17, and winners will be notified no later than March 27.

Baseball Legend Don Mattingly Joins Music City Baseball, LLC As Baseball Advisor

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Don Mattingly. Photo: Courtesy of the Miami Marlins

The Nashville Stars organization has added MLB legend Don Mattingly as its newest Baseball Advisor.

Mattingly, who will start his first season as the Toronto Blue Jays bench coach this upcoming season, will provide counsel on key strategic matters and work to gain support in bringing a Major League Baseball franchise to Nashville.

“The approach that Dave Stewart and his team have in Nashville is exactly what the game of baseball needs,” says Mattingly. “I am glad to see MLB taking an active approach on these important issues. We need more diversity in the game, and it starts from the top-down.”

Mattingly spent all 14 seasons of his MLB career with the New York Yankees, winning the 1985 AL MVP Award and nine Gold Gloves, while being named to six All-Star teams. He was named as the franchise’s 14th captain in team history in 1991, serving until the end of the 1995 season.

After his playing days, he served in coaching positions with the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. He accepted his first managerial job with the Dodgers in 2011 and led the team to five winning seasons. Afterwards, Mattingly managed the Miami Marlins from 2016-22 and won the NL Manager of the Year Award in 2020.

His support will help advance a plan to develop a diverse investor group with a goal of becoming the first MLB franchise to have majority Black ownership, expanding on the league’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The ownership group is led by former MLB pitcher and front office executive Dave Stewart, who won three World Series titles as a player with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays.

The Stars name pays homage to the Negro Leagues teams that played in Nashville in the 1940s and 1950s and is supported by an ongoing partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

“Simply put, Don Mattingly knows baseball,” says Stewart. “He was a pure hitter, played near-flawless defense, and has been successful as a manager and coach because of his baseball mind. He is well-respected around the game of baseball, and we are lucky to have him with us.”

Mattingly is familiar with the city of Nashville as he spent one year of Double-A with the Nashville Sounds in 1981. Mattingly was named the Yankees’ Minor League Player of the Year after batting .316 with seven homers and 98 RBIs in his lone season with the Sounds.

College Corner: Fisk Women’s Gymnastics, Belmont’s Cade Tyson, Vanderbilt Baseball

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Fisk Women’s Gymnastics Team Participates In Official NCAA Meet, Makes History

Fisk Women’s Gymnastics Team. Photo: Courtesy of Fisk University

The Inaugural Fisk Women’s Gymnastics Team made history after participating in their first official meet in Las Vegas on Jan. 6-7, becoming the first HBCU women’s gymnastics team to perform at the NCAA level.

The Super 16 event is the largest collegiate gymnastics event showcasing more than 300 collegiate athletes from universities all across the country. Fisk competed in Session No. 1 on Jan. 6 against Washington, Southern Utah and North Carolina.

Fisk finished fourth with an overall score of 186.700. Freshman Morgan Price placed first in the vault with a score of 9.900.

 

Belmont’s Cade Tyson Named MVC Newcomer Of The Week

Cade Tyson. Photo: Courtesy of Belmont Athletics

Belmont men’s basketball freshman Cade Tyson has been named Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Newcomer of the Week. He leads the MVC in scoring among freshmen.

Tyson averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game this past week as Belmont defeated UIC and Missouri State. The Monroe, North Carolina native had a career-high 20 points, three rebounds and two steals against Missouri State. He had eight points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots at UIC.

Belmont returns to game action Tuesday (Jan. 10) at Valparaiso.

Vanderbilt’s Enrique Bradfield Jr., Carter Holton Named Preseason All-Americans

Pictured (top): Enrique Bradfield Jr.; (bottom): Carter Holton. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Vanderbilt baseball standouts, outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. and pitcher Carter Holton, earned preseason All-America recognition from Perfect Game. Bradfield was named to the second team while Holton was named to the third team.

Bradfield was a consensus All-American in his sophomore campaign in 2022. He posted a .317 average with eight home runs and 36 RBIs while leading the SEC, and ranked second nationally in stolen bases, going 46-for-46 on the season. He also led the SEC with five triples and earned first team All-SEC honors.

Holton made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2022. The southpaw earned unanimous Freshman All-American recognition and was Freshman All-SEC. Holton ranked sixth in the SEC with a 3.14 ERA and compiled an 8-4 record with a pair of complete games. His 97 strikeouts were second-most on the team.

The returning duo have also been named Collegiate Baseball preseason All-America.

Vanderbilt opens the 2023 season Feb. 17-19 at the College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas.

Milk & Honey Music + Sports Announces Nashville-Based Baseball Venture Led By Kyle Thousand

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Kyle Thousand. Photo: Courtesy of Milk & Honey Sports

Milk & Honey Sports is bringing the world of Major League Baseball to Nashville with the announcement of Milk & Honey Baseball, launched alongside existing partners. This new Nashville-based venture will be run by industry veterann Kyle Thousand and will sit under the Milk & Honey sports banner.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Milk & Honey family. In making the decision, I have been very calculated and intentional with finding the right partner to take this next step in my career and build upon the growth and advancements made while previously at Roc Nation Sports,” says Thousands. “After speaking with Lucas [Keller], Dave [Frank] and the rest of the Milk & Honey team, it became apparent that we shared the same vision in their expansion into baseball, to create a truly unique, boutique baseball division that is focused on providing clients with elite servicing, unparalleled contract negotiation and helping clients maximize their opportunity in baseball both on and off the field.

“I’m impressed with what Milk & Honey has done in the music, venture, web3 and football spaces, and I look forward to leading this new baseball division as well as exploring potential opportunities to move into other sports.”

Milk & Honey Music + Sports + Ventures was founded by Keller and has offices in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. It’s sports division has been rapidly growing its presence since launching in 2021. Milk & Honey Sports is run by veteran agents and partners Jacob Presser, Rawleigh Williams, Dave Frank and Alex Harrow.

“We’ve been discussing expansion into other sports ever since we opened Milk & Honey’s football division. Today, we show our fast commitment to opening baseball as another exciting chapter in Milk & Honey Sports, and the company’s steadfast goal of becoming a broader entertainment company beyond music,” says Keller. “Every time we enter another vertical, we get to start over, which is exciting for us, we have something to prove. We’re fortunate that we get to welcome folks who are at the top of their game, and Thousand is the perfect person to lead us into this next chapter.”

Thousand joins Milk & Honey after most recently working at Roc Nation Sports as their first ever Managing Director of Baseball, overseeing the division and representing some of the game’s best players, including CC Sabathia, Robinson Cano, Yoenis Cespedes, Frankie Montas, Eddie Rosario, Erick Aybar, Miguel Sano and Shelby Miller, amongst others.

While at Roc Nation, Thousand made headlines during the Yoenis Cespedes free agency negotiations with the NY Mets, presenting the Mets with advanced metrics to measure how much Cespedes was worth to the team in terms of generating ticket, media, merchandise and sponsorship revenue. Cespedes’ deal with the NY Mets was negotiated as a $75 million contract that included an opt-out after the first season. Through Thousand’s work, Cespedes was guaranteed $137.5 million over five years with the Mets.

Prior to that, Thousand worked at Excel Sports Management from 2011 to 2015, working as an MLBPA Certified Agent and Director in the Baseball Division. Thousand initially started his professional sports career by being drafted to the Toronto Blue Jays and playing in the Blue Jays system after attending the University of Iowa, where he was a two time All-Big Ten selection.

Thousand also holds a law degree from the Creighton University School of Law and began his legal career as an associate in the Chicago law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Through the firm’s Corporate, Sports and Entertainment department, he worked as part of a team that was outside counsel for the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bulls.

“Kyle is a great addition to our sports division at Milk & Honey and baseball is a world we are excited to jump into. We believe Kyle’s previous successes in both the legal field and the sports world (working at two of the most successful agencies in the business) will prove to be a huge asset to our clients and the entire Milk & Honey team. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Kyle and his expertise to the Milk & Honey Sports division, one of the most respected and aggressive companies in the space,” Presser & Williams share in a statement.

Milk & Honey Baseball was launched in partnership with Big Plan Holdings, a Nashville-based family-office with investments in cannabis, real estate, music, entertainment, and hospitality, among a myriad of strategic investments across the United States.