Stepping up, striking out, having fun

By Mary Alice Blackwell

Published: May 29, 2008

No way am I going to call them “stars.”

But some of our local “celebrities” are willing to risk being booed, laughed at, or maybe even cheered on in a Sunday afternoon benefit.

The people you see on TV, hear on the radio and read in the newspaper are joining forces with area doctors and politicians for Strike Out Cancer — a tripleheader softball extravaganza at 1 p.m. at McIntire Park.

Even if you don’t like softball, there are hotdogs … on and off the field.

And, Mary Miller, who I will dub the superintendent of charitable softball matters, said that there was going to be a way cool silent auction. If you like real athletes, the auction will include a jersey signed by the local NFL father-and-son team of Howie and Chris Long. Albemarle County baseball aficionado and best-selling author John Grisham also has donated some of his signed books to the cause.

But the real fun begins when the Radio Jocks take on the Cancer Docs at 1 p.m. on field one.

Doctors, nurses and staff — coached by Ed and Susan Howell — from the UVa Cancer Center will take to the mound to battle the DJs from your favorite radio stations. Erik Murphy from Hot 101.9 will be spinning the strategy for the talkmeisters.

Meanwhile, over on field two, the TV and print journalists will be wildly waving their aluminum bats.

Jared Guest of the Newsplex is captaining a mixed team from TV and C-Ville. Word has it that Cathy Harding is in the lineup. Their opponents in the other dugout are none other than the Print/Channel 29 ringers, coached by McGregor McCance of The Daily Progress.

When all the dust settles and bragging rights are tucked away, the main event unfolds when local Democrats take on area Republicans in the 3 p.m. afternooncap.

The Democrats have already elected John Conover to their coaching staff, but the Republicans were still in negotiations … or perhaps waiting for the last primary to name their chief. Word has it that Ron Hallmark and Tom Miles were among the contenders.

“There is great enthusiasm about the games,” Miller noted in an email.

But perhaps the most notable event of the day will be special ceremony inducting Mitch Van Yahres and Dick Mountjoy into the Strike Out Cancer Hall of Fame. Both men had been big supporters of past softball benefits. Mountjoy — a longtime favorite from radio station WINA — was active behind the scenes. Van Yahres — who served as a Democratic delegate for years and years — played, coached and was a sideline commentator for the annual fundraiser.

Both men passed away this year after battling cancer. A plaque in their honor will be placed in the new cancer center when the UVa facility is completed, sometime around 2011.

In the meantime, come on out Sunday afternoon. It’s free, so feel free to jeer or cheer your favorites.

It’s all in good fun for a good fund. Proceeds will go to the Patients and Friends Cancer Research Fund at the University of Virginia.

Batter up.