SPRINGFIELD, Mo. –  Missouri State baseball is proud to present Step Up to the Plate, a special holiday event presented by Reinhart Foodservice and the Loren Cook Company, featuring St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Dan McLaughlin, Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield.

Bears supporters and baseball fans alike will have the chance to be a part of the Bears' third annual fundraising dinner, which will also include live and silent auctions. Additionally, current and former Bears in attendance will be available to meet the public and sign autographs. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the formal program will commence at 6:30 p.m.

Since calling his first Major League Baseball action at the age of 23, McLaughlin has spent 22 seasons in the Cardinals broadcast booth, earning a pair of Mid-America Emmy Awards in the process. The St. Louis native has covered two World Series championships with the Cardinals, and earned the prestigious Burnes/Broeg Award from the Missouri Athletic Club in 2016 for his contributions to the city of St. Louis. In addition to his time on the Cardinals' FOX Sports Midwest broadcast team, McLaughlin has hosted TV coverage for the NHL's St. Louis Blues and provided play-by-play for numerous college football and basketball productions, including extensive work with the Missouri Valley Conference and Saint Louis University.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Missouri State baseball program. Advance tickets for the event are available for $50 on an individual basis, or tables of eight for $400, through Missouri State baseball. No walk-up or day-of-event sales will be available. Cash or check (payable to the Missouri State Foundation) orders can be placed via phone at (417) 836-4497, or email (KeithGuttin@MissouriState.edu). Credit card purchases should be directed through the Missouri State Foundation at (417) 836-4817.