Springfield Standard

Missouri State University's baseball team has announced two exhibition games for the upcoming fall season. The schedule features the ninth annual 'Battle for Bell' against Drury University on October 9, and a game with Arkansas State University on October 18. Both contests will be held at Hammons Field in Springfield.

The 'Battle for Bell' is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $5 each, with free admission for children aged 13 and under. All seating is general admission, and tickets can be purchased in advance through CoxHealth Foundation's website (https://www.coxhealthfoundation.com/event/battle-for-bell-9/) or at Hammons Field on game day.

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Howard Bell ALS Clinic at CoxHealth, which supports local patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The event honors Howard Bell, a former Missouri State player who died of ALS in 2013. Bell was recognized as Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Year in 1986 after batting .396 and leading Missouri State to a then-school-record number of wins and its third consecutive AMCU Tournament title.

Bell also contributed to local baseball by working over ten years with Glendale High School’s program before becoming head coach when Mark Stratton left to lead Drury's baseball team as its first head coach in 2005.

This year marks the ninth time Missouri State and Drury have played the 'Battle for Bell,' which began on September 29, 2012.

On October 18, Missouri State will host Arkansas State in an exhibition matchup beginning at approximately 1 p.m. Admission is free, and basic stadium amenities will be available during the event.