Padres pitcher returns home to help with fundraiser

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - San Diego Padres pitcher Clayton Richard was back in Tippecanoe County last weekend, hoping some people’s Christmas shopping would help a cause near to his heart.

Former McCutcheon Maverick and his wife, Ashley Richard, hosted a sold-out fundraiser the Lynn Treece Boys and Girls Club Saturday evening at the Trails in Battle Ground.

The event included live and silent auctions of well over 150 donated items, including several pieces of signed baseball memorabilia from Richard’s connections in the major leagues.

The featured speaker Saturday was Jim Morris, whose story was told in the movie “The Rookie”.

“He goes all around the country, so we are very fortunate to get him in. He did a terrific job, has a tremendous story, and a lot of people have to take advantage and listen to that,” said Clayton Richards.

“We, 100%, believe in the Boys and Girls Club. Our whole family works there, so it’s really fun that our whole family can be involved, just with something that we really believe in,” said Ashley Richard.

Some of the hot ticket items auctioned included a San Diego getaway, a Chicago weekend with the White Sox, and a Clayton Richard cornhole game.