Soft Bowl I unfolds on Saturday
By Barry Poe Journal sports writer | Posted: Friday, June 20, 2008
Soft Bowl I, hosted by Matt Chatham of the New York Jets, will be more than just your average slow-pitch softball game.
Sure, Chatham has assembled an impressive list of celebrities for the festivities, which get under way at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at Lewis and Clark Park. The day, however, is packed with fun-filled activities for the entire family.
"The unique thing about this is that for the dollars you will spend, you're actually getting three for the price of one," said Chatham, a North High and University of South Dakota graduate. "You spend that amount of money alone for an autograph session and for the softball game and concert.
"And, the resume of talent coming in at the same time is unheard of. Siouxland is in for a great day on Saturday."
An autograph session precedes the softball game at 10:30 a.m.. Then, Sioux City radio station Z-98 will present Omaha rock tribute virtuosos 3D in concert following the game. The concert is free of charge with admission to the game.
The game pits a group of current and former professional athletes against a group of prep athletes from North, East and West high schools.
Former local prep athletes Chatham, Zeron Flemister and Kate (Gordon) McGeeney are on the pro roster. West High product Flemister played tight end for the University of Iowa and spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders. McGeeney, now a teacher and coach in Oregon, was a track and field standout at North High who went on to earn All-American honors in soccer at Marquette University.
It will also be a homecoming, of sorts, for Russ Hochstein, an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots who grew up in Hartington, Neb., and played at the University of Nebraska.
"It's always nice to come back to the Midwest," said Hochstein, a graduate of Hartington Cedar Catholic High School. "I get back about four times a year but I wish it could be more.
"I know Matt has put a lot of time into this. It's something he's wanted to do for years, but it just took awhile to get the ball rolling. I know he cares, as well as I do, a lot about the Sioux City area. It's where we all grew up so I know we'll all enjoy this a lot."
Hochstein was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001 and spent two seasons there before joining the Patriots. The 6-4, 305-pound Hochstein started a career-high seven games for the Patriots at center and right guard last season.
"I've been hanging tough so I can't complain," said Hochstein, who along with wife Christine will celebrate their first wedding anniversary on July 6. "I've enjoyed the success and had a lot of fun with it, and I'm looking for more in the future."
Hochstein's parents, Barb and Gayle, still reside in Hartington. He said his family makes several trips per year to the East Coast to watch him play.
"That's one thing about people from the Midwest," said Hochstein. "They are prone to travel and do it better than anyone."
Tim Dwight, a 10-year NFL veteran who played with Chatham in New England and New York, will drive from his home town of Iowa City after hosting a charity event earlier this week. Dwight, who spent last season with the Oakland Raiders, is a free agent.
The pro roster also includes Sioux City Explorers manager Les Lancaster, a former Chicago Cubs pitcher, and East High graduate Curt Lessman, who played at Northwest Missouri State and for the Atlanta Falcons as a long snapper. NFL lineman Joe Andruzzi, currently playing for the Cleveland Browns, along with kicker Mike Nugent and wide receiver Brad Smith of the New York Jets, round out the roster.
Ticket sales have been brisk, but fans can still purchase tickets at the box office the day of the game. All proceeds equally benefit the activities departments of the three Sioux City public schools.
"One of the real great things that has happened so far is that we have 500 donations from local businesses," said Chatham. "There should be a big group of kids out here and they will have plenty of fun."
Z-98 will present a live remote broadcast before the game. 3D will perform its concert on the Famous Dave's barbeque deck. Live auctions are also planned, along with the Soft Bowl I guitar hero challenge performed between innings by representatives from North, East and West.
Tickets can also be purchased by calling (712) 277-9467, or online at www.xsbaseball.com. Lower level seats (red seats) are $20, upper level reserved (blue seats) $15 and general admission (bleachers and barbeque deck) $10.
Sure, Chatham has assembled an impressive list of celebrities for the festivities, which get under way at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at Lewis and Clark Park. The day, however, is packed with fun-filled activities for the entire family.
"The unique thing about this is that for the dollars you will spend, you're actually getting three for the price of one," said Chatham, a North High and University of South Dakota graduate. "You spend that amount of money alone for an autograph session and for the softball game and concert.
"And, the resume of talent coming in at the same time is unheard of. Siouxland is in for a great day on Saturday."
An autograph session precedes the softball game at 10:30 a.m.. Then, Sioux City radio station Z-98 will present Omaha rock tribute virtuosos 3D in concert following the game. The concert is free of charge with admission to the game.
The game pits a group of current and former professional athletes against a group of prep athletes from North, East and West high schools.
Former local prep athletes Chatham, Zeron Flemister and Kate (Gordon) McGeeney are on the pro roster. West High product Flemister played tight end for the University of Iowa and spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders. McGeeney, now a teacher and coach in Oregon, was a track and field standout at North High who went on to earn All-American honors in soccer at Marquette University.
It will also be a homecoming, of sorts, for Russ Hochstein, an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots who grew up in Hartington, Neb., and played at the University of Nebraska.
"It's always nice to come back to the Midwest," said Hochstein, a graduate of Hartington Cedar Catholic High School. "I get back about four times a year but I wish it could be more.
"I know Matt has put a lot of time into this. It's something he's wanted to do for years, but it just took awhile to get the ball rolling. I know he cares, as well as I do, a lot about the Sioux City area. It's where we all grew up so I know we'll all enjoy this a lot."
Hochstein was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001 and spent two seasons there before joining the Patriots. The 6-4, 305-pound Hochstein started a career-high seven games for the Patriots at center and right guard last season.
"I've been hanging tough so I can't complain," said Hochstein, who along with wife Christine will celebrate their first wedding anniversary on July 6. "I've enjoyed the success and had a lot of fun with it, and I'm looking for more in the future."
Hochstein's parents, Barb and Gayle, still reside in Hartington. He said his family makes several trips per year to the East Coast to watch him play.
"That's one thing about people from the Midwest," said Hochstein. "They are prone to travel and do it better than anyone."
Tim Dwight, a 10-year NFL veteran who played with Chatham in New England and New York, will drive from his home town of Iowa City after hosting a charity event earlier this week. Dwight, who spent last season with the Oakland Raiders, is a free agent.
The pro roster also includes Sioux City Explorers manager Les Lancaster, a former Chicago Cubs pitcher, and East High graduate Curt Lessman, who played at Northwest Missouri State and for the Atlanta Falcons as a long snapper. NFL lineman Joe Andruzzi, currently playing for the Cleveland Browns, along with kicker Mike Nugent and wide receiver Brad Smith of the New York Jets, round out the roster.
Ticket sales have been brisk, but fans can still purchase tickets at the box office the day of the game. All proceeds equally benefit the activities departments of the three Sioux City public schools.
"One of the real great things that has happened so far is that we have 500 donations from local businesses," said Chatham. "There should be a big group of kids out here and they will have plenty of fun."
Z-98 will present a live remote broadcast before the game. 3D will perform its concert on the Famous Dave's barbeque deck. Live auctions are also planned, along with the Soft Bowl I guitar hero challenge performed between innings by representatives from North, East and West.
Tickets can also be purchased by calling (712) 277-9467, or online at www.xsbaseball.com. Lower level seats (red seats) are $20, upper level reserved (blue seats) $15 and general admission (bleachers and barbeque deck) $10.
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