The City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge is held each year at Greer Stadium during Fan Fair week. This year, the two teams were the After Midnite Team, coached by Blair Garner and Big & Rich, and the Grand Ole Opry Live Team, coached by Little Jimmy Dickens, Buddy Jewell and Trace Adkins.
The team rosters were as follows:
After Midnight Team:
-
Rodney Atkins, Drew Bennett, Tracy Byrd, Blue County, Amy Dalley, Billy Dean, Dusty Drake, Scotty Emerick, Sara Evans, Andy Griggs, Cledus T. Judd, McHayes, Jamie O'Neal, Blake Shelton, Daryle Singletary, Gretchen Wilson, Mark Wills and Chely Wright.
-
Rhett Akins, Sherrié Austin, Jeff Bates, Chris Cagle, Linda Davis, Vince Gill, Steve Holy, Rebecca Lynn Howard, David Kersh, Joe Nichols, Brad Paisley, Julie Roberts, Lonestar's Dean Sams, Josh Turner, Tomas Vokoun, and Jimmy Wayne.
Fans Arrive and are Greeted by the Heat
The crowd started arriving early, some staking out seats in the two picnic areas with picnic benches and umbrellas providing precious shade during the day, which averaged 90° with some scattered clouds. Down at the edge of the field, fans gathered in hopes of getting autographs from their favorite stars, who gladly signed programs, hats, shirts, balls, and whatever else was offered.
Both of your AboutCountry staff members were in attendance, although from different vantage points, so we have pictures from both baselines for you to check out.
Trace Adkins Arrives on a Harley
The game was scheduled to start at 1:00 pm, and arriving on a Harley from the left field area was Trace Adkins who sang the National Anthem before the game.
Not Just Country Stars
Besides the country stars in attendance were several Wrestling stars (I'm not into Wrestling, so I don't know who they are), as well as Tennessee Titan wide receiver Drew Bennett, and Nashville Predator goalie Tomas Vokoun.
The teams are definitely here to raise money for the City of Hope, but fun is definitely a big reason as well as the teams battled each other on the field. Though some of the artists aren't bad at hitting and fielding, I doubt that any major league player has to worry about losing their jobs to anyone on either team.
Fun For All
The Nashville Sounds mascot, Ozzie was also on hand, squirting a water gun at the happy fans who appreciated the cooling down. At one time the two Wrestling stars even went at it, the one hitting the other with a chair in typical wrestling style, and Ozzie broke up the fight.
Pitching for the After Midnite team was Blake Shelton, complete with a beer on the mound, which he chugged before pitching. I don't remember who it was but during one inning, someone from the Opry Live team came out to the mound and stole Blake's beer and tossed the plastic cup at him.
Another time, Vince Gill, who was pitching for the Opry Live team used a giant baseball painted beach ball to pitch to, I believe it was Jimmy Wayne. Speaking of Jimmy Wayne, he showed his non-musical talents by balancing a bat on his chin. There was also a Minnie Pearl impressionist at the game, and she took a turn at bat, and scored a hit.
Watch Out for That Bat!
Trace Adkins coached the Opry Live team and argued with the umpire (The Tennessean's own Entertainment writer, Brad Schmidt) hitting him with his big red plastic bat. Then, of course, you knew you'd see Trace and Little Jimmy Dickens in conference over a play. Their size difference being so great, they look hilarious together on the field.
There was a bet that if the Opry team lost, Buddy Jewell had to fill in for Blair Garner on his show one night, plus sweep the entire studio. I don't recall what Blair had to do if the Opry team won
Final Score
By the end of the third inning the score was 5 - 0 in favor of the After Midnite team. The Opry team finally scored late in the game, but couldn't catch up, as the After Midnight team also scored. The final score was 9 - 4 in favor of the After Midnight team.
The game is a lot of fun, and if you plan on going next year, be sure to put on LOTS of sunscreen as it's awful hot and there is virtually no shade. The money goes to a great cause to fight cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and many other serious diseases.
