at Future Viper Fall Festival last month at Venom Field.
By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News
The Future Viper Fall Festival featured past and present Major League Baseball players Clay Buchholz, Kevin Millar, John Lackey and Jake Arrieta at Vandegrift’s Venom Field recently.
“It’s hard to put into words what it means to have all levels of the game represented in one event,” said Jarod Hickle, new VHS head coach. To me, it shows the support we all have for our Viper baseball program and the development of our youth.”
More than 50 youth participated in the November 7 event hosted by the VHS Baseball Booster Club.
Lackey, Buchholz, Arrieta and Millar — most if not all are residents of Four Points — shared MLB tips with young baseball players. The festival also featured radar gun throwing, hitting and pitching lessons, virtual reality sessions, a pitching exhibition and an autograph walk.
Pitcher Arrieta is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres.
Pitcher Buchholz played for the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Toronto Blue Jays. He made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2007.
Pitcher Lackey played for the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs from 2002 through 2017.
Millar was a first baseman and outfielder and now is an analyst for MLB Network. Millar played for the Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays from 1998 through 2009.
“I am thankful for everyone involved,” Hickle said. “Our Fall Festival was a special event that brought the Viper baseball family together.”
Photos by Lynette Haaland 
