6/26/10 Braves Alumni Weekend Celeb/Alum Softball Game (in pics)

Well, on Saturday our much-loved Rome Braves were off in Kentucky wearing out the Lexington Legends, and our son was given some SWEET seats/tickets that included admission to the Braves Alumni Weekend First Annual Celebrity/ Alumni softball game, so we ventured down from the hills to Turner Field. It was our first trip to the Ted since 2007 (that's kind of embarassing to admit!!) On the way, we stopped and got our oil changed ate lunch at the Varsity - 'cause I'm a native Atlantan and that's just how we roll before a Braves game.  We got to Turner Field, hauled in our coolers, found our seats, sweated a LOT (did I mention yet that it was VERY HOT) and had a great time.....more below the jump.......

Let me just say: It was hot!!! Did I mention IT WAS 1000 degrees HOT!!! But then the alumni and celebs started showing up and it was so worth it. Because this was so close to the game, the regualar Braves players were wandering around in and out too, so there are some random shots of them as well.....

There were two teams, Sid's Sliders (captain Sid Bream) and Murph's MVP's (captain Dale Murphy). The teams were made up of former Braves players and local radio, tv and music personalities. Some of the people there were Dale Murphy, Otis Nixon, Steve Avery, Sid Bream, Brian Jordan, Coach Eddie Perez, Chuck Dowdle, Jackson Hurst & Josh Stambers (Drop Dead Diva), Fred Kalil, Elana Myers (Olympic bronze medalist bobsledder), KenRodriguez, and two members of the Zac Brown Band.  John Schuerholz, Sr. was dubbed the commissioner and offical rule-maker during the game.  At one point, Sid's team was up 9-2 and Schuerholz disallowed some runs and changed the score back to 4-2.  Then he traded Bream straight up for Murphy to even the teams.  One of the highlights of the game for me was when Otis Nixon hit a home run to right field. After he crossed the plate he was given the ball. The emcee asked him what he was going to do with it and he promptly said, "get Murphy to autograph it, then donate it to a charity, so they can auction it off to raise money". Pretty sweet.

The game got super-close to the actual big game time, so it was finally called a tie at 5-5 after seven innings.  It was amazing to see everyone - a lot of the heroes of my younger days. Hope you enjoy the pics. This is the most writing I've done ever. !!!

 Dale Murphy and Sid Bream

Fred Kalil  (11-Alive Sports Director) and Tommy Hanson

Atlanta sportscaster Ken Rodriguez

Some Tomahawk Girls (see guys I didn't totally forget about you)

Otis Nixon walks up to the plate. No warm-up. No BP. Just walks up there and smacks a HR to right field!!!

 Getting Dale Murphy to autograph the HR ball.

 AMAZING drum line that provided a little between inning entertainment.

Some random spectators.

Steve Avery. Ageless. Amazing. Has always been one of my favorite players.

Another wandering spectator.....Tommy Hanson

And I know this is a huge picture, but THIS IS HUGE!!! Probably one of the best shots I've ever been blessed enough to get to take. If you're still here by now...I hope you enjoyed. It was a lot of fun, and then there was a GAME!!! (which Dave did an awesome job sharing already!!!)

GO BRAVES!!!

Edited 6/29/10: More event photos can be found by clicking here and Braves vs.Tigers gameday photos are here.