BRIDGEPORT — The parents of slugger Billy LePretre are throwing the baseball player a fundraising murder mystery party to help pay for the cost of a trip to a prestigious tournament in Florida.
"It's really different and I don't think anyone's ever done it around the neighborhood, so we said, 'Why not?'" said Therese LePretre, Billy's mom.
The "Murder at Billy's Speakeasy" party takes place 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday at De La Salle Institute's Campus for Young Men, 3434 S. Michigan Ave.
Admission to the murder mystery show is $35 and includes two hours of open bar — beer and wine only — plus a three-course dinner, served family style. The event also includes a DJ, costume contest and raffle prizes.
LePretre, 12, was one of about 150 players selected to compete in the Game Day USA baseball tournament, which required a rigorous tryout process that drew in nearly 2,000 athletes.
"They put us on a team with random kids and had us play a couple games against other teams and if you stood out, they'll put you on the team. They evaluated us on how hard we can hit and how fast we pitch," he said.
LePretre, who competes in the local Donovan Baseball and Chicago Fusion travel league, had pitches clocked at 71 mph and the speed of his hits reached 73 mph.
The tournament takes place in late December in Orlando, Fla.
Therese LePretre said she's hoping to raise at least enough money to get Billy and his father to Florida, where hotel rates have soared for the holiday season.
Tickets are available by calling 773-557-3861 or emailing lepretre6@sbcglobal.net
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