The third edition, the rubber match edition, of the A&A All the Way Charity Softball Game begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with a home run derby at Southwest University Park.
Aaron Jones’ Team Showtyme is looking to defend its title against Alvin Jones’ Team Vino, which won the first edition two years ago.
This event filled most of Southwest University Park last season and the crowd was delighted with a charity softball display for the ages by Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons. Aaron Jones was a Green Bay Packer back then, though, since he jumped over to the Minnesota Vikings.
When is A&A All the Way Charity Softball Game?
The home-run derby is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Southwest University Park, with the game to follow. Tickets range from $27 to $42 at the gate or online, with proceeds going to the A&A All the Way Foundation that, among other things, is hosting a free football clinic Friday at Burges.
Who are the celebrities?
Parsons is back a year after dominating this game, but he’s switched teams to Vino from Showtyme. Alvin Jones’ team has the bigger-name athletes with El Paso ties. Notable names include Connecticut basketball start Tristen Newton, Joneses’ cousin from Burges who might get drafted into the NBA earlier Thursday; Seattle Seahawk Tyrice Knight, Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez; Miami Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham; junior college baseball All-American Diego Cardenas; and UTEP softball star Autumn Scott. It is coached by Coronado alum and pro basketball player Daniel Amigo.
Aaron Jones’ team includes Arizona basketball player KJ Lewis, San Francisco 49ers cornerback De’Vondre Campbell, former Indiana Pacer George Hill, former Green Bay Packer Davon House, Indianapolis Colt Tyler Goodson, New England Patriot Jaylinn Hawkins, and former UTEP linebacker AJ Hotchkins. They are coached by the Mexican luchador Pagano.
What are the full rosters for the game?
Aaron Jones’ Team Showtyme: KJ Lewis, AJ Hotchkins, Davon House, Shawn Abboud, Devondre Campbell, George Hill, Tyler Goodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Fernie Garcia, Emilio Guerrero, Julio Morales, Zafario, Mike Bradshaw, Shaun Beverly, Tez Woods, Anthony Christmas, Pagano (coach).
Aaron Jones’ Team Vino: Micah Parsons, Nik Needham, Will Hernandez, Tyrice Knight, Tristen Newton, Diego Cardenas, Autumn Scott, Matthew Judon, Laneah Bryan, John Bohannon, Brandon White, Lorenzo Sandoval Jr., Jorge Barraza, Miss Kath, Ariel Griego, Cooper Foster, Daniel Amigo (coach).
Who is favored?
There are no spreads or lines in celebrity softball. However, a quick roster analysis shows that Team Vino has a few ringers (baseball and softball players).
Where is Ricardo Pepi?
One of the big names at last year’s game, the El Pasoan soccer star Ricardo Pepi, will be playing Thursday, but he’s in Atlanta with the US Men’s National Team playing against Panama. That 4 p.m. Mountain time game will be right around when Newton could be drafted.
