Former Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman to bat leadoff for Mallards
It's official: Former child acting star Gary Coleman will bat Friday night for the Madison Mallards.
Vern Stenman, the general manager of the summer college baseball team, persuaded Coleman to take a turn in the batter's box for a 7:05 p.m. Northwoods League game against Eau Claire at Warner Park.
Coleman, 40, who starred as Arnold Jackson in the 1980s sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes," is expected to sign a contract at 6:50 p.m. and throw out the first pitch. He will then bat in the bottom of the first inning as a pinch hitter.
The Mallards are well-known throughout the baseball world for their wacky promotions and their public pursuit of Coleman, who initially intended only to sign autographs as part of the team's season-long series of celebrity promotional appearances.
Their quest for Coleman has been tracked by ESPN News, reportedly due to heavy interest from eccentric anchor Kenny Mayne.
Visit www.madison.com later Friday evening for more coverage.
Associated Press
Gary Coleman (right), a former child acting star, walks with Ana Ray into the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2003.
