Softballers blast homers for charity at Cranberry derby
CRANBERRY TWP — Fifteen eager softball players blasted for the fences in the name of charity Friday at the Cranberry Cup’s Home Run Derby held at Cranberry Township Community Park.
“This is my fourth year doing it, and it’s a good fundraiser,” said participant Craig Gehm, who has been playing softball for over a decade. “And I like to hit home runs.”
There were cash prizes for the top three finishers, as well as a shiny trophy for the first-place winner. Participants each paid $50 to enter the home run derby. As with all Cranberry Cup events, all proceeds will benefit less fortunate families in Cranberry Township, with the chief beneficiary this year being the Forsyth family.
“First and foremost, it’s for charity, and it’s a competitive event, “ said participant Nathan Kouns. “We all want to hit home runs, but first and foremost, the money goes back to the community, and that’s what it’s all about.”
In the first round, players swung until they reached 10 outs, with an out being defined as any swing that didn’t result in a home run. Participants could pay an extra $20 for two additional swings of the bat. The top six home run hitters in the first round advanced to the second round, where each participant was limited to five outs.
Many of the participants in the Home Run Derby will also be playing in the Cranberry Cup’s softball tournament, which takes place Aug. 5 and 6 at the very same softball fields at Cranberry Community Park.
