Griffons to host annual Griffon's Night Friday

Nevada Daily Mail

For nearly 30 years, Nevada has played host to aspiring college baseball players who spend their summer sharpening their skills with their eyes on the "big leagues."

Players from all over the United States are recruited to join the Nevada Griffons' MINK League team. They attend Division I, II and III colleges and universities, as well as junior colleges.

The 2014 Griffons roster boasts players from Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wyoming.

Players are recruited by the team's coaching staff. Recruiting is a year-long process, beginning at the end of each summer season, and continuing throughout the fall, winter and spring, right up until players arrive the last week in May.

Players are often recommended by their college coaches and all arrive hoping to use the summer to improve and sharpen their skills. Team play begins in late May, continues through June and July, and culminates, hopefully, with a trip to the NBC World Series held in Wichita, Kan.

The Griffons summer collegiate baseball team was organized as a non-profit organization during 1983-84, to promote baseball in Nevada and Vernon County. The Griffons name comes from the names of Nevada's two well-known big league baseball players -- Clark Griffith and George Lyons.

Griffith, a Hall of Fame pitcher, was a co-founder of the American League. Lyons was also a pitcher, playing for the St. Louis Browns and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Griffons' first year of league play was 1985. That original team was overseen by a Board of Directors, comprised of local individuals, directed by general manager Darryl Miller, and led by their first head coach, Dave Jorn.

The Griffons were members of the Jayhawk League for 23 years, playing opponents from Wichita, Hays, Beatrice, Neb., and Liberal, Kan., among others. In 2009, the Griffons became part of the MINK League.

The Nevada Griffons have been to the NBC World Series 23 times. They have finished in the top 10 in the tournament 18 times, finishing in third place in 2002 and 2011, and taking second in 1997 and 1998.

Over the years, dozens of Griffons players have been drafted by MLB, with more than 20 players making it to "The Show." Most prominent among those is Trevor Hoffman, Hall of Fame relief pitcher, who played for Nevada in 1987. Each young player who travels to Nevada harbors the dream of playing in the Major Leagues and each year, fans look forward to seeing those future big leaguers.

Local businesses get involved in supporting the team by sponsoring home games. Hoffman Financial Resources has sponsored a Griffon's Night for clients and the public for 14 years!

This year's event will be held on Friday. They offer free admission, bounce houses for kids of all ages, and make-your-own ice cream sundaes.

This year, there will be a Home Run Hitter contest game, as well. The Hoffman Team also accepts and encourages donations of non-perishable food items for Community Outreach, to be dropped off at the game by all attending.

This year, they will donate $5 for every pound of food brought to the game. The money will go to support Backpacks of Love.