Minnesota Twins to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of "Little Big League"
Child from Ronald McDonald House to serve as "honorary manager" for the day
The Minnesota Twins today announced plans to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the classic baseball film "Little Big League" on July 27 when the Twins host the Chicago White Sox at 1:10 p.m. Fans are invited to stick around for a postgame viewing of the film on the main video board, which will start approximately 15 minutes after the final out is made.
To help celebrate the milestone and as a nod to the movie's storyline, the Twins have selected a child from the Ronald McDonald House to serve as honorary manager. This child, 14-year-old Lakeville resident, Ryan Lueschen, will participate in a number of activities alongside actor Luke Edwards, who starred as 12-year-old Billy Heywood in the movie, and longtime Twins radio play-by-play voice, John Gordon, who played fictional broadcaster Wally Holland.
Released 20 years ago (June 29, 1994), Little Big League Day will consist of pregame and in-game involvement by cast members including the ceremonial first pitch, delivery of the lineup card and an autograph session where fans can meet Edwards and Gordon. Fans interested in meeting Edwards and Gordon should stop by the Twins Digital Clubhouse in the U.S. Bank Homerun Porch in the top of the 9th inning.
Ryan will also receive a private clubhouse tour given by Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, watch batting practice from the dugout and have the opportunity to deliver the Twins official lineup card to the umpires before the start of game July 27.
Ryan was born with a rare heart condition known as modified hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He had four heart surgeries before the age of six and had a pacemaker put in in his most recent surgery. His parents, Steve and Angie Lueschen, utilized the Ronald McDonald House at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in Minneapolis for food and respite during Ryan's most recent hospital stay. Ryan was named for Nolan Ryan, is a big Twins fan and enjoys managing a successful fantasy baseball team with his dad.
Tickets for Little Big League Day at Target Field on July 27 (against the Chicago White Sox) can be purchased at twinsbaseball.com or by calling 612-33-TWINS (612-338-9467) or 800-33-TWINS (800-338-9467).