MLB Umpire Marty Foster to Speak at Hot Stove

BELOIT- WI - Going into his 14th season as a Major League Umpire, Marty Foster will be on hand to speak at the Beloit Snappers 8th Annual Hot Stove Banquet on January 19. He brings over 20 total years of umpiring knowledge and stories to share with baseball fans. He joins Minnesota Twins General Manager Terry Ryan, Sr. Director of Minor League Operations Jim Rantz and former Beloit Snapper and current Twins outfielder Ben Revere speaking at the banquet. 9-year old singing sensation Skylar Stecker will also be on hand to sing the national anthem.

Marty Foster's interest in umpiring began when he was in High School while he umpired little league baseball games. With that interest in mind, Foster attended Joe Brinkman's Umpires School in Cocoa, Florida where he finished at the top of his class. After graduation, he started his trek to the Major Leagues.

Much like it is for a player, umpires are promoted through the minor league system based on performance. He spent one year in Rookie League, two season in the Midwest League (the league in which the Snappers play), had a stint in the Double-A Southern League before three seasons in the Triple-A International League.

In 1996, 12 years into umpiring throughout the minors, Foster made the jump to the big leagues. His first game was a game between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees at old Detroit Stadium. From there, Marty has completed 13 seasons, starting his 14th in the spring as a Major League umpire.

As his career has progressed, Foster has worked MLB's playoffs three out of the last five years. His resume includes working the Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim American League Divisional Series in 2008, the Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets Opening Series in Tokyo, japan and the 2002 MLB All-Star game at Miller Park in Milwaukee. He was the home plate umpire when Tom Glavine won his 300th career game at Wrigley Field against the Cubs in August of 2007.

Foster was born in Denver, Colorado, played high school baseball and football and now lives in Beloit with his wife.

Tickets for the Snappers Hot Stove Banquet are $40.00 per person, which includes a buffet-style dinner, a general admission ticket good for any Sunday-Thursday Snappers 2012 home game, the program for the evening as well as an entry in to a drawing for one of three Snappers prize packs. If you purchase a table of eight (8), the price is $300. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Snappers offices at 608-362-2272 or by stopping by Pohlman Field at 2301 Skyline Drive in Beloit. Tickets for both the dinner/program are non-refundable.

The Country Club of Beloit is located at 2327 Riverside Dr., Beloit, WI. Doors will open at 5:15pm for the silent auction and social hour. Dinner will begin at 6:15pm with the program to follow.

The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and a Class-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Opening day at Pohlman Field is April 5, 2011 at 6:30pm when the Snappers face the Peoria Chiefs, a class "A" affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For ticket information, contact the Snappers office at 608-362-2272 or visit the website at www.snappersbaseball.com.