WORCESTER – Only in New England would 10,000 people show up to a charity softball game on a miserable night weather wise.
The first annual MayeDay Family Foundation Celebrity Softball Classic took place on Sunday night at a raw, rainy Polar Park. The ballpark was as full as it’s ever been and various New England Patriots players, other athletes and celebrities took part in a home run derby, accuracy throwing challenge and then a seven-inning game.
The game itself had an incredible finish, with Team Sox beating Team Pats (Maye’s team) 17-16. But, on a night that was all for the kids, it was the New England sports spirit in full effect that turned it into an incredibly memorable event and hopefully, the first of many for Maye and his wife Ann Michael.
“We’re so excited to be here and to be able to do this and help the kids at Boston Children’s Hospital,” said Ann Michael before the event got going. “It’s something we’re looking forward to, it’ll be super fun and competitive out here. Hopefully we can have some fun playing some softball.”
Each home run hit throughout the night – both in the derby and in the game – raised additional money for Maye’s foundation that provides for children and families enduring hardship. A grand total of 70 homers were hit, and with some extra here and there, $94,000 was brought in.
Maye, Ann Michael, Julian Edelman, Christian Gonzalez, Will Campbell, Rhamondre Stevenson, Pop Douglas, Mack Hollins, Robert Spillane, Efton Chism, Jared Wison, Mike Onwenu, Zdeno Chara, Will Smith, Megan Keller, Matty Beniers and others all took part in the festivities, Mike Vrabel was also on hand to ‘coach’ team Pats and got a couple massive ovations when introduced or shown on the big video board.
Spillane, Hollins (barefoot and all), Campbell and Maye all had multiple home runs in the game. Romeo Doubs had a dinger – and took a tumble over the right field mesh ‘fence’ placed in the outfield while trying to catch a fly ball. Marcus Jones had a ridiculously impressive leaping catch at second at one point as well, dazzling the fans and drawing huge cheers. Gonzalez also had a good showing with a homer and a couple other hits, but just the fact he was there was noteworthy enough.
Prior to the game, former BC hockey star Will Smith and Drake Maye tied in the home run derby with nine, but Maye handed over the trophy to him. After that, the accuracy challenge – players having to throw a ball from left field into two bats standing near first base – was won by Pop Douglas. At one point, Ann Michael took some time to decorate some of her famous cookies with some lucky kids in one of the suites.
After intros and a national anthem, it was game time.
In an absolute slugfest full of comical miscues (like Will Campbell not throwing a grounder to first from third because he thought it was foul), the ending was almost as dramatic as the AFC Championship five months ago.
Down by one in the bottom of the seventh (seven-inning game), Maye found himself up with two runners on and the chance to make the night truly perfect as the still pretty-full crowd raucously chanted ‘MVP! MVP! MVP!. He seemingly pulled it off too, smoking a ball over the fence for what should have been a walk off home run. But, with a rule implemented that both teams could have one player behind the fence to catch balls, the moonshot was caught.
Hunter Henry was still on third after he led off with a single, but Zdeno Chara – who had a brutal showing in the derby and clearly doesn’t know much about baseball – was doubled up from first on the play after he had singled.
So now, with two outs and the tying run at third, it was all up to Will Campbell. Campbell had a great night showing his athleticism and took a healthy hack, but flew out to centerfield as Team Sox celebrated in the outfield.
Players signed some autographs postgame and a fireworks show for those willing to sit out the rain capped off the night.
Maye hopes this event will grow and become a staple in the spring.
If we’re going by the size of the crowd and the energy brought on Sunday night, or the enthusiasm everyone played with, the MayeDay Family Foundation Celebrity Softball Classic will soon become an event to circle on the New England sports calendar.
Whatever it takes for the newest first family of the region.
“It’s all been such a whirlwind, I feel like everything happened so, so fast. I was just in college two years ago today probably,” Ann Michael added when asked about being such huge figures in the Boston sports landscape already. “It’s so crazy, but it’s so cool to see all the people and everyone’s just been so great, so kind to us, received us so well. We’ve grown to love this place in a short amount of time.”
“They’ve embraced us since I got drafted,” added Drake. “I love these fans. I love playing for them. I love getting to meet them, hopefully sign some more tonight. I’m just thankful for them being here…I think it shows when you bring some energy back to the city in all sports, how much this city loves sports.”
