Competitive side shines at In The Pocket
Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Teresa VarleySteelers.com
Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Teresa VarleySteelers.com
Hines Ward was sinking corner shots at a pool table on one side of the room while on the other side Ben Roethlisberger was making a come-from-behind win over Franco Harris in a “friendly” game of ping pong, all part of the fun at In The Pocket with Charlie Batch.
In the Pocket was something Batch thought would be a fun and unique way to raise funds for his Best of the Batch Foundation.
“I wanted something different, something a little more relaxing and something fun,” said Batch. “When I talk with the guys on the team everyone is so competitive no matter what we are talking about, everything from shooting pool, to bowling to basketball. Guys are so competitive. I wanted to put something together to make the night a little more special and different.”
Fans had a unique opportunity to compete against the players depending on the type of ticket they purchased for the event, so there was a lot of pride on the line.
“Any time you can come out and have a fun event like this is great,” said Ward, who has a pool table at home. “The guys are here competing in pool and ping pong. It’s a great event. The fans like to see how competitive we are. It’s a chance for them to get a chance to go out and beat us. I brought my A game with me.”
The event also include a silent and live auction, featuring such unique items as a pool table signed by approximately 25 current and former Steelers players who were on hand at the event, including Harris and Jerome Bettis. Also auctioned off as a package each were the autographed jerseys of the starting offense and defense.
All of the proceeds from the event benefit Batch’s foundation, which is in the process of building a computer literacy lab.
“That is more important than anything, that it is a great cause,” said Batch. “We understand the reading scores around the state are low and I want to do my part to help raise those scores.”
In the Pocket was something Batch thought would be a fun and unique way to raise funds for his Best of the Batch Foundation.
“I wanted something different, something a little more relaxing and something fun,” said Batch. “When I talk with the guys on the team everyone is so competitive no matter what we are talking about, everything from shooting pool, to bowling to basketball. Guys are so competitive. I wanted to put something together to make the night a little more special and different.”
Fans had a unique opportunity to compete against the players depending on the type of ticket they purchased for the event, so there was a lot of pride on the line.
“Any time you can come out and have a fun event like this is great,” said Ward, who has a pool table at home. “The guys are here competing in pool and ping pong. It’s a great event. The fans like to see how competitive we are. It’s a chance for them to get a chance to go out and beat us. I brought my A game with me.”
The event also include a silent and live auction, featuring such unique items as a pool table signed by approximately 25 current and former Steelers players who were on hand at the event, including Harris and Jerome Bettis. Also auctioned off as a package each were the autographed jerseys of the starting offense and defense.
All of the proceeds from the event benefit Batch’s foundation, which is in the process of building a computer literacy lab.
“That is more important than anything, that it is a great cause,” said Batch. “We understand the reading scores around the state are low and I want to do my part to help raise those scores.”
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