By Anthony Teolis
Home Runs for the Hungry, a charity slow-pitch softball game, is set to take place on May 6th at the Barrie Sports Complex in Midhurst, in support of the Barrie Food Bank.
The event will feature a mix of local celebrities and politicians, including Barrie mayor, Alex Nuttall, Canadian lightweight boxing champion, Mark Smithers, world's strongest man competitor, Mitch Hooper, Rock95 morning show host, Bryan Flannery, and on-air personality, Jayne Pritchard, who will be throwing out the first pitch.
Ward 2 Counselor Craig Nixon, who organized the event, reached out to the Barrie Food Bank after seeing the challenges they were facing, and was inspired by the success of barnburner hockey games in the area.
"The idea kind of stemmed from hockey night in Barrie that's been around for a long time and has been very successful," Nixon told Barrie360. "After seeing that in the fall, kind of on my way home thinking, 'hey, this works. Everybody had a good time. Let's maybe try this with baseball.'"
With the help of the Barrie Baycats and their team president, Josh Matlow, the event is expected to draw a large crowd and generate much-needed support for the food bank.
Matlow and several Baycats will be on the field showing the rest how it's done.
"Everyone of them, with the exception of the Baycats, will be a little out of their element, but they've all agreed to join in because it's a great cause and should be a lot of fun."
Tickets are $15 for general admission, and a $60 VIP package is available, which includes lunch and a meet-and-greet with the players. And 100 per cent of every ticket sold will go directly to the Barrie Food Bank.
Tickets can be purchased and more information can be found on the event's website, homerunsforthehungry.godaddycites.com.
Nixon says he is hoping for a sellout on May 6th, and hopefully some good weather - if that does not cooperate though - a rain date has been set for May 7th.
Banner image - Home Runs for the Hungry website.
