The 3rd annual Celebrity Softball Challenge was held on Thursday, June 7 at Victory Field (home of the Indianapolis Indians) in downtown Indianapolis. A great crowd of fans showed up to help support the game which proceeds go to the Indiana Children’s Wish Fund. The funds help bring to life the wishes of Indiana children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.
This fourth annual event is a 7-inning celebrity softball game between players of the major professional sports teams in Indiana along with mascots, media personalities and other Indiana sports personalities. It has become a Memorial game to celebrate the life of Caroline Symmes’, one of the precious Wish children, who was involved in making this event possible. Taking place in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, fans have the opportunity to witness their favorite hometown Superstars battle it out on the softball field.
Pacer’s center Roy Hibbert and Colt’s all pro Robert Mathis hosted the event. The game consisted of 7 innings and Roy’s team took on Robert’s team. Both had many of their teammates and local celebrities working the outfield and batting to see who could brag for the winning title another year! Among those in attendance were the Pacer’s George Hill, Dahntay Jones, A.J. Price, Darnell Hillman, and Coach Frank Vogel. Indiana Fever players Katie Douglas, Tamika Catchings, and Shavonte Zellous were showing what they had on the field along with the Pacer’s announcers Chris Denari and Brooke Olzendam and of course, Boomer.
Bob Kravitz of the Indystar, Randy Ollis (WISH-tv Meteorologist), Anthony Calhoun (Sports) (WISH-tv), Joe Staysniak, Laura Steele (Q-95), Dave Furst (WRTV-6 Sports), Chris Hagan (Fox-59 Sports), JMV (1070-the Fan Host), Carlos Diaz (HLN News),Kyle the Producer (1070-the Fan) and Rowdie the mascot from the Indians.
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Some of the players from the Colts in attendance were Pat McAfee, Justin Snow, Dwight Freeney, Gary Brackett, Antoine Bethea, Justin Hickman, and Austin Collie.
After a night of battling it out on the field, Robert Mathis pitched a 1-0 shutout to defeat Hibbert’s team. After the game the kids were allowed to go down on the field and run the bases and get autographs from their favorite athletes and celebrities.
The event was a big success and many more Indiana Wish kids wishes will come true as a result of the generosity of all involved and in attendance.
