Country Music News for the Country Music Enthusiast

2009 City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge

Country stars Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Montgomery Gentry and Josh Turner step up to bat at the 19th Annual City of Hope Nashville Celebrity Softball Challenge, June 10, 2009.

Rival teams Grand Ole Opry and After Midnight with Blair Garner take the field once again at Nashville's Greer Stadium Country celebrities Carrie Underwood, recently named Entertainer of the Year at the 44th Academy of Country Music Awards, Vince Gill, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Turner and many others will step up to home plate at the 19th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge on Wednesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. at Nashville's Greer Stadium. Arch rival teams, Grand Ole Opry and "After MidNite with Blair Garner" return for an exciting evening of pranks, fun and softball. Tickets are $18 each and $40 for a family four pack. To purchase tickets for the 19th annual City of Hope Nashville Celebrity Softball Challenge, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 615-255-9600.

Billed as the unofficial kick-off to CMA Music Fest, this year's softball game will be held in the evening for the first time since its inception 19 years ago. Country's hottest stars have filled the dugouts for almost two decades to benefit City of Hope, a leading research, education and treatment center for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The complete all-star line up will be announced in the coming weeks. There will be a silent auction during the game with autographed memorabilia as well as an online auction after the game at www.auctionsforhope.com .

"Last year, our team was lucky enough to savor the sweet taste of victory against The Grand Ole Opry's softball team," said Blair Garner, creator, "After Midnight with Blair Garner." "Like any Southern gentleman, I believe in second helpings. So bring that plate around one more time, boys. Daddy's got a Manwich appetite!"

"Rivalries aren't built on the same team winning year after year," said Pete Fisher, vice president and general manager, Grand Old Opry. "Since we felt the agony of defeat last year, we're ready to launch another three-peat beginning in '09. Everyone on the Opry team is looking forward to a big win, both for the Opry and for City of Hope, where researchers are accelerating treatments to help fight cancer and other life-threatening diseases."

For more information on the 19th Annual City of Hope Nashville Celebrity Softball Challenge, visit www.cityofhope.org/softball.