Pistons, Lions to Face Off in Celebrity Softball Game

The battle is on between the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions as members of the teams compete Saturday in the second annual Celebrity Softball Game at Royal Oak’s Memorial Park.

Charlie Villanueva of the Pistons and Derrick Williams of the Lions will join their teammates and other celebrities for the event. Also scheduled to participate are local sports reporters such as Eli Zaret, Ryan Field and Terry Foster, Detroit 1-8-7 actress Erin Cummings and current and former players, including Ben Wallace, Rick Mahorn, Herman Moore and Lomas Brown.

Gates open at 2 p.m. for fans to enjoy outdoor activities such as face-painting, inflatable moonwalks, game prizes and more. There will also be a chance to meet the celebrity participants and DJ Prevu will provide entertainment.The events kick off with a home run derby at 3 p.m. and the softball game begins at 3:30 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the players' respective charities as well as the Royal Oak Sandlot League.

Charlie’s Angels, an anti-bullying campaign, has teamed up with Williams' foundation, Mealz on D Wheelz, this year to benefit students.

“The kids throughout the schools will be writing essays on anti-bullying and then Derrick and his foundation will bring them in a healthy lunch,” said Sherrie Handrinos, event director. “The essays will be academically graded and those with the highest grades will be awarded by going to either a Pistons or a Lions game, receiving a T-shirt and meeting the players.”

The promotion aims to encourage kids to strive for their best in school, while keeping active by playing sports.

“There’s been a lot of other cities that have asked us to have the game there,” Handrinos said. “But the city here has been so great to us, so we wanted to come back.”

Following is the scheduled lineups, according to organizers:

Blue Team (NFL)
Derrick Williams, Detroit Lions


Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions
Aaron Brown, Detroit Lions
Lomas Brown, Detroit Lions
Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions
Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions
Bryant Johnson, Detroit Lions
Titus Young, Detroit Lions 
Braylon Edwards, New York Jets
Larry Foote, Pittsburg Steelers
Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
Ed Johnson, Carolina Panthers
Aaron Maybin, Buffalo Bills
Herman Moore, former NFL Player
Lavar Arrington, former NFL Player
Chafie Fields, former NFL Player
Cato June, former NFL Player
Terry Foster, CBS Detroit
Tom Leyden, Channel 7
Matt Shepard, 1130 WDFN Radio
Helen Phillips, NBC Biggest Loser Winner

Red Team (NBA)
Charlie Villanueva, Detroit Pistons


Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons 
Ben Gordon, Detroit Pistons
Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons
Austin Daye, Detroit Pistons
Jonas Jerebko, Detroit Pistons
Charlie Bell, Golden State Warriors
Rasheed Wallace, former NBA Player
Rick Mahorn, former NBA Player
Roberto Sanchez, former MLB Player
Erin Nicole, Pistons Hostess
Heather Zara, Pistons Reporter
Eli Zaret, Pistons Reporter
Ryan Field, Fox Sports Detroit Reporter
Lauren & Allison, FSN Detroit Girls
Dr. Darrius, FM98 WJLB Radio
Ryan Ermanni, 1130 WDFN Radio
Erin Cummings, Actress/Detroit 187
Kong Coumoundouros, MMA Fighter
Jasmin Medar, Nightlife Promoter
DJ Rob-Play, NYC/Detroit

Tickets for the Celebrity Softball Game are $10, with free admission for children under 5. Tickets can be purchased on the event’s website. For more information, call (877) 707-4216 or email sherriehandrinos@gmail.com.