Members of the Arkansas House of Representatives and Arkansas Senate will compete in a softball game April 28 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock during the inaugural Home Runs for Kids’ Sake.
A spinoff of Hoops for Kids’ Sake, the event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. The game will offer between-innings activities, music, food and an opportunity for families to come together for a night of fun.
The gate opens at 6 p.m. The opening ceremony and first pitch will take place at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 at the gate.
“Home Runs for Kids’ Sake is a reinvigoration of the charity event we have all come to love,” said Arkansas House Speaker Brian Evans. “While we may be rivals on the court and field, the Arkansas legislators are always working to create a better state for the next generation, whether it’s in the Capitol or through charitable activities.”
Launched in 2013, Hoops for Kids’ Sake began as a collaborative, bipartisan effort to bring together lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to benefit children in Arkansas. More than a decade later, the annual event has raised more than $250,000.
Arkansas Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester suggested the softball game could allow the House to recover from past losses, but said the Senate is committed to showing it is just as adept on the field as it has been on the court.
“We are ready to defend our winning streak,” he said. “We understand the need to level the playing field as the games have been a bit one-sided the past few years. This is a tradition that is close to the hearts of all state legislators, and we are excited to continue the competition and support the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas.”
The reformatted event is set to alternate between basketball and softball, the charity basketball game returning during next year’s regular legislative session and another softball game taking place the following fiscal session.
Staffers from the governor’s office and the attorney general’s office are also expected to participate in the softball game, having been involved in the basketball game in recent years.
“I am so excited to once again be a part of this and see the legislators duke it out on the diamond,” said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “I will continue to support the children of Arkansas any way I can, and the governor’s office is proud to put kids first in our great state.”
Attorney General Tim Griffin added that the event aligns with his office’s work to protect Arkansas children.
“We are ready to be a part of the action and support such a great tradition,” he said. “As this event grows, we are proud to know that more resources can go to helping the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. My office is here to help protect children, and this is another way we can further that mission.”
Two sponsorship opportunities are available. The VIP Sponsorship, at $1,500, includes two VIP passes for the postgame reception and reserved seating at the game, 10 general admission passes and the sponsor’s logo on on-site signage.
New this year are four VIP Scoreboard Sponsorships at $2,500. In addition to the benefits of the VIP Sponsorship, Scoreboard Sponsors receive two additional postgame reception passes and branding on the scoreboard throughout the game.
To learn more or become a sponsor, contact Harvell Howard, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, at hhoward@bbbsca.org, or click here.
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