By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
A group of former NFL standouts will take on local senior talent in a softball game April 4 at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis.
Organizers for the fundraiser for the Salisbury/Rowan Senior Games have lined up a list of celebrities including:
– Tommy Barnhardt, South Rowan High School quarterback, Carolina Panthers punter.
– Ben Coates, tight end at Livingstone College and the New England Patriots.
– Lance Smith, offensive lineman at A.L. Brown High School, New York Giants.
– Tory Woodbury, Winston-Salem State, New York Jets.
– Larry Griffin, UNC-Chapel Hill, Pittsburgh Steelers.
– Rod Smith, Denver Broncos, president of the NFL Alumni Association.
Members of the Rowan County Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the game Tuesday evening.
Commission member Troy Elliott, a well known baseball player in his heyday, joked that some of the local players may have lost more than a step or two.
Elliott suggested the senior pitchers might want to stand at second base, instead of the mound.
Parks Director Don Bringle and members of the commission commended the organizers.
Gates will open at noon April 4, with the game starting at 1:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 with children 12 and under admitted free.
The fundraiser kicks off a series of senior events and games at different locations throughout April, including Senior Games at the Catawba College football field April 14, bowling at Woodleaf Lanes on April 15, racquetball at the Salisbury YMCA on April 16, boccee and horseshoes at Ellis Park on April 18.
Other events include: tennis at Ellis Park and putt-putt at Dan Nicholas Park on April 20; tennis, archery, long jump, Ellis Park, April 22; shuffleboard, Rufty Holmes Senior Center, April 23.
A series of competitions are set for April 24 at the VA Medical Center, including billiards, basketball shooting, table tennis, and badminton.
The month of activities concludes May 1 with a victory dinner at 6 p.m. at the Salisbury Civic Center.
For more information or to volunteer to help run events, call 704-216-7780.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254.