Oct. 21, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University softball team will host the second-annual "Knockin' Cancer Out of the Ballpark" benefit game against Alabama-Huntsville on Sunday at 2 p.m., to raise money for the UAB Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at Children's Hospital.

The game will be held at Samford's Bulldog Field and donations for the charity will be collected at the gate. All proceeds will be donated to the foundation.

"This game is for a really good cause and it's a way for us to be able to give back to the community," said Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham. "It's a benefit game and hopefully we'll be able to raise some money for the UAB Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at Children's Hospital. This is a charity that is very close to our heart and we wanted to do something as a team to help out."

This heart-felt event hits close to home for both Samford's Ketcham and Alabama-Huntsville's head coach Les Stuedeman.

Stuedeman, a former player at Samford, and Ketcham both have a mutual friend, Anne Long, whose 7-year-old son, Andrew, was recently diagnosed with cancer. The event is also being held on behalf of James Howell, a friend of Andrew's who is also fighting brain cancer.

Ketcham, Stuedeman and Long all attended and played basketball at Vestavia Hills High School together.

Sunday's game between Samford and UAH is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., at Bulldog Field. The Samford softball coaching staff invites fans to bring their families out for an afternoon of fun and great softball.

The FunZone, an activity center for children which features space bounces, miniature golf and face painting, will open at 1 p.m. All proceeds will be donated to the UAB Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at Children's Hospital.

Last year, in the inaugural "Knockin' Cancer Out of the Ballpark" game, Samford set a school record for attendance and raised over $12,000.

This season's game will begin Sunday at 2 p.m., at Bulldog Field.