Drillers Raise More Than $10,000 For Coolbaugh Family

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ The Tulsa Drillers raise more than $10,000 for a memorial fund to benefit the family of their late first-base coach, Mike Coolbaugh. <br/><br/>The Drillers lost 9-5 to the Wichita Wranglers

Wednesday, August 1st 2007, 11:22 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ The Tulsa Drillers raise more than $10,000 for a memorial fund to benefit the family of their late first-base coach, Mike Coolbaugh.

The Drillers lost 9-5 to the Wichita Wranglers Tuesday night in Tulsa's first home game since Coolbaugh's death.

During a pre-game ceremony at Drillers Stadium, Coolbaugh's jersey number 29 was retired and a permanent ``number 29'' marker was unveiled.

The Drillers also unveiled a ``number 29'' patch that will be worn on their uniforms and played the entire game without a first-base coach in Coolbaugh's honor.

The AA baseball team also conducted a silent auction of memorabilia and autographed items during the game to raise the money for the memorial fund for Coolbaugh's family.

Members of the band Counting Crows say that $5 from every ticket sold to their August 8 concert at Drillers Stadium will be donated to the memorial fund.

Coolbaugh died July 22 after he was struck by a line drive while coaching first base for the Drillers in a game against the Arkansas Travelers in North Little Rock.

Related Stories:

7/5/2007 Coolbaugh Named Drillers Interim Hitting Coach

7/23/2007 Line Drive Hits And Kills Drillers Coach

7/24/2007 Mourning Coaches Wonder About Safety

7/24/2007 - Drillers To Return To The Field

7/25/2007 - Coroner Says Ruptured Artery Caused Death Of Coach

7/27/2007 - Arkansas 7, Tulsa 6, 12 Innings

7/30/2007 - Drillers To Attend Former Coach's Funeral

7/30/2007 - Drillers Plan Memorial For Mike Coolbaugh

7/31/2007 - Drillers To Honor Late Coach