FRIDAY NIGHT All-Team BBQ
FUN STARTS AT 7:00pm
Grand Junction High Desert Classic teams and families are invited to the Friday Night All-Team BBQ. What better way to celebrate the first day of the tournament than a barbeque with your teammates, family and competition. The fun will take place on CMU’s Bus Bergman Field, which just underwent a major improvement project. Players will also receive a tourney memento and the tournament coordinators will go over some key info about the weekend. Make plans to join us!
Dinner will be provided by The Ribber Catering!
2025 Key Note Speaker
Matt Lindstrom
PREVIOUS SPEAKERS
2024 – Jamie Hamilton Mesa College, California Angels Organization, Co-Director for the NJCAA World Series
2023 – Jeff Niemann (Former Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher)
2022 – Colorado Mesa University Head Coach – Chris Hanks
Matt Lindstrom’s path to Major League Baseball began at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho), where he honed his skills as a pitcher. Drafted in the 10th round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, he initially played in the minor leagues before being traded to the Florida Marlins in 2006, where he made his MLB debut. Over his 8-year career, Lindstrom’s 100+ mph fastball made him a standout reliever, playing for teams such as the Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago White Sox. During his career, he accumulated 51 saves and 324 strikeouts across 420 innings.
Since retiring in 2015, Lindstrom has focused on mentoring young athletes, offering guidance in pitching and mental toughness, while teaching values like teamwork and discipline. His dedication to youth development shines through his involvement in baseball camps and clinics where he inspires the next generation.
Relatively new to Grand Junction, Colorado, Lindstrom is gradually becoming part of the community, contributing through his work with local youth sports programs. While he’s still building connections in the area, his presence is already positively impacting young baseball players and their families.
Matt Lindstrom’s journey from college baseball at Ricks College to the MLB, combined with his commitment to supporting youth, makes him a powerful role model and keynote speaker for the 2025 Grand Junction High Desert Classic youth baseball tournament’s Friday night All-Team BBQ.