Alumni Game Highlights Fan Fest '26
1/6/2026 2:55:00 PM | Baseball
Annual event to kickoff baseball at Reckling Park in 2026
Rice Baseball's annual preseason Fan Fest will have an added attraction this year with the return of the Rice Baseball Alumni game as part of the day of fun at the ballpark on Saturday, January 31, at Reckling Park.
More than 30 former Owls have committed to play in a three-inning game against the 2026 squad, with first pitch set for 12:30. A full roster of those committed to play will be released later this month.
As always, admission to Fan Fest is free, with gates opening at 10:30 a.m. Fans will be able to sample food and beverages from several Rice partners, along with inflatables, face painters, balloon artists, and other entertainment options.
Batting practice for the alumni game will take place from 10:30 to 11:30, followed by a question-and-answer session featuring a panel of coaching staff, alumni, and current team members, hosted by Jason Metko. The Q&A will also provide younger fans (12 and under) a chance to ask the panel questions during the open mic portion of the session.
The Alumni Game begins at 12:30, and following the game, fans will be invited to walk through the Rice dugout and on the field at Reckling for a postgame autograph session with all the participants, as well as the first opportunity in 2026 for kids to run the bases.
Head coach David Pierce will open preparations for his first full season guiding the Owls on January 23 with the first full squad practice. The 2026 season opens on February 13 when Rice hosts Northwestern in a three-game series.
The 2026 home schedule also features Purdue from the Big Ten (2/18), Southland Conference regular season champion UTRGV (3/17 & 3/31), Southland tournament champion HCU (2/24), and a three-game series with Harvard (2/27-3/1), as well as the middle game of the annual Silver Glove series against Houston (4/21) and single games with Sam Houston (4/15), Lamar (4/28), Louisiana (2/17), and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (4/7).
The 2026 American Conference home schedule opens on March 27 with a three-game series with Florida Atlantic, followed by visits from 2025 regular season champion UTSA (April 2-4), Memphis (April 17-19), UAB (May 1-3) before ending conference regular season at home for the first time since joining the American by hosting Tulane (May 14-16).
Season tickets for the 2026 season are now on sale and for the first time include a general admission option that provides access to specific sections in the grandstand.
More than 30 former Owls have committed to play in a three-inning game against the 2026 squad, with first pitch set for 12:30. A full roster of those committed to play will be released later this month.
As always, admission to Fan Fest is free, with gates opening at 10:30 a.m. Fans will be able to sample food and beverages from several Rice partners, along with inflatables, face painters, balloon artists, and other entertainment options.
Batting practice for the alumni game will take place from 10:30 to 11:30, followed by a question-and-answer session featuring a panel of coaching staff, alumni, and current team members, hosted by Jason Metko. The Q&A will also provide younger fans (12 and under) a chance to ask the panel questions during the open mic portion of the session.
The Alumni Game begins at 12:30, and following the game, fans will be invited to walk through the Rice dugout and on the field at Reckling for a postgame autograph session with all the participants, as well as the first opportunity in 2026 for kids to run the bases.
Head coach David Pierce will open preparations for his first full season guiding the Owls on January 23 with the first full squad practice. The 2026 season opens on February 13 when Rice hosts Northwestern in a three-game series.
The 2026 home schedule also features Purdue from the Big Ten (2/18), Southland Conference regular season champion UTRGV (3/17 & 3/31), Southland tournament champion HCU (2/24), and a three-game series with Harvard (2/27-3/1), as well as the middle game of the annual Silver Glove series against Houston (4/21) and single games with Sam Houston (4/15), Lamar (4/28), Louisiana (2/17), and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (4/7).
The 2026 American Conference home schedule opens on March 27 with a three-game series with Florida Atlantic, followed by visits from 2025 regular season champion UTSA (April 2-4), Memphis (April 17-19), UAB (May 1-3) before ending conference regular season at home for the first time since joining the American by hosting Tulane (May 14-16).
Season tickets for the 2026 season are now on sale and for the first time include a general admission option that provides access to specific sections in the grandstand.
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