Softball Holds Cancer Awareness Weekend; Swinging for the Cure Home Run Derby Saturday
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | Softball
The No. 8/9 University of Florida softball team will hold its Cancer Awareness Weekend April 22-24 as the Gators play host to No. 3/4 Alabama in a three-game conference series at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The event, organized by former Florida standout Francesca Enea in conjunction with the Gator marketing department, features special promotions, cancer awareness initiatives and a Swinging for the Cure Home Run Derby Saturday that will showcase past and present Gator athletes, along with ESPN college softball analyst and former four-time All-American and Olympic gold medalist Jessica Mendoza, with two-time softball National Player of the Year Danielle Lawrie as the celebrity pitcher.
Admission is free to all Gator softball games, as well as the Swinging for the Cure event, which kicks off just after the 4 p.m. Florida vs. Alabama contest April 23. Gator fans will have the option of pledging to the Shands Brain Tumor Research Department following Saturday's game. No cash or checks will be accepted at the event.
Read a special blog entry from GatorZone.com's Scott Carter about Swinging for the Cure here.
Florida Softball Cancer Awareness Weekend
Gators vs. Crimson Tide
Friday, April 22: First pitch 5 p.m.
* First 600 fans receive a free pink “Florida for the Cure” thick bracelet in honor of breast cancer awareness
Saturday, April 23: First pitch 4 p.m.
* The Lockwood family will throw out the first pitch prior to the start of the game
* Moment of Silence/Jersey Dedication – Moment of silence following the game prior to the Home Run Derby in memory of Ian Lockwood and all of the people who've battled, survived, and lost their lives to cancer. Lockwood, who received a game ball following Florida's 2011 Outback Bowl victory against Penn State and was referred to as a “dear friend” by former head football coach Urban Meyer, passed away due to terminal brain cancer 27 days after the game. Former Gator outfielder Francesca Enea will also dedicate her framed jersey to Ian's parents
* Shands Brain Tumor Research Department will be on hand and accepting pledges. Pledges will not be taken until after the game, once the post-game home run derby begins. No cash or checks will be taken at the event
* Swing for the Cure Home Run Derby – following the jersey dedication after the game
* Several participants include: 2010 Associated Press Second-Team All-American former Gator safety Ahmad Black, ESPN college softball analyst and former Stanford All-American and U.S. Olympian Jessica Mendoza, and former Gator football greats Shane Matthews and Chris Doering, with two-time softball National Player of the Year Danielle Lawrie as the celebrity pitcher
* Each Home Run Derby contestant will get five pitches to hit off of Lawrie. Making contact is worth one point, an outfield hit three points and a home run five points
Sunday, April 24: First pitch 1 p.m.
* All cancer survivors are invited to line the field for the National Anthem
* One cancer survivor will throw out the first pitch
