For most baseball fans, the Home Run Derby at the Major League All-Star game earlier this month was at best "forgettable." I suppose, if you're Prince Fielder you may recall the event each time you polish the trophy that rests atop your mantle. While, if you're Brandon Inge, you are more than likely discussing the event each session you lie on the couch with your sports psychologist.
But if you are any other kid from age four to 94, you are more than likely wringing out another box of Kleenex after being bored to tears by another lackluster Pop Up Derby.
Well, cry no longer if you're a baseball fan (or fan of any sport for that matter) and live within throwing distance of central Massachusetts. Good Sports Boston is presenting the REAL Celebrity Softball Home Run Derby this Sunday at LeLacheur Park, home of the Lowell Spinners.
Celebrity participants from Boston sports teams and media outlets will be pulling on the batting gloves and slapping on the pine tar as part of central Massachusetts most awesome charity sporting event.
The following celebrities will be participating in the event:
- "Irish" Mickey Ward
- Benjamin Watson-Patriots
- Stephen Gostkowski-Patriots
- Christian Furia-Patriots
- Bill Walker-Celtics
- Kritine Lilly-Breakers
- Lyndon Byers-Bruins
- Bob Sweeney-Bruins
- Andy Brickley-Bruins/NESN
- Lou Merloni-Red Sox
- Luis Tiant-Red Sox
- Dana Barros-Celtics
- Cole Wright-NESN
- Pete Sheppard-WEEI
- Mike Adams-WEEI
- Mark Kruger-Biggest Loser Reality TV Star
- Jay Kruger-Biggest Loser Reality TV Star
The event will take place using celebrity pitchers, catchers, reporters, and emcees. Contests & raffles will take place throughout the day giving fans the chance to win amazing prizes, including signed memorabilia from the celebrity participants, and even the opportunity to take the field and hit a home run of their own!
Following the event, an exclusive VIP reception will be held where fans, sponsors, and auction winners will have the opportunity to meet all the stars. All proceeds from the event will support Good Sports Boston.
Good Sports mission is to increase youth participation in sports, fitness, and recreational programs by targeting one of major obstacles that is limiting participation and that is access to sports equipment.
Through the efforts of Good Sports, Boston youths and youth organizations in need are provided with sports equipment, apparel, and footwear.
Good Sports Boston CEO, Melissa Harper believes that the event will be a success and is excited for the first long ball to clear the fence.
"This is our first time holding the event so I hesitate to estimate on the crowd size. We do think that the turnout will be a good one," explained Harper, who with a little goading from the writer predicted Kristine Lilly of the Breakers as her favorite in the competition.
"We're moving in the fences a bit so the fans are sure to see some hits leaving the park. Regardless who wins it 's exciting to think that every swing and every home run that leaves the park will be to benefit kids who need uniforms and equipment."
Since 2003, Good Sports has provided more than $3.8 million worth of equipment, while serving nearly 600 youth programs and positively impacting the lives of more than 180,000 kids who would go without new sporting equipment and uniforms if not for the effort of Good Sports Boston.
Harper is especially gracious to the corporate sponsors of this event, Celsius, WEEI Radio, NESN, The Red Sox Foundation, Celtics Team Up for Kids, Boston Breakers, and Boston Bruins, as well as, all the fans and sponsors who help Good Sports throughout the year.
Tickets to the event are $12.50 for admission, with a limited number of VIP tickets available for $75.00. The VIP tickets include admission to the VIP reception where fans, sponsors, and auction winners will have the opportunity to meet all the stars of the event.
Gates open at 11:30 AM with the first pitch to be thrown at 1:00 PM. Follow the signs off of Rte 495 and Rte 3 in Lowell, MA to find LeLacheur Park.
Visit Good Sports Boston site for more information and to see all of the wonderful events on the Good Sports Calendar.
Todd Civin is a freelance writer for the Bleacher Report. Feel free to contact him at toddcivin1@aim.com. He is also a supporter of the book A Glove of Their Own, the award winning children's book that teachers children to pay it forward through baseball. Visit www.agloveoftheirown.com and purchase the book under donor code GSB 133 Good Sports Boston. AGOTO will donate $3.00 from each sale will go to Good Sports Boston.
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