Final Celebrity Softball Jam set for Sunday at Dell Diamond
Four days before the Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam, Reckless Kelly co-founder Cody Braun headed to the party store.
On his shopping list? Silly string and water balloons. Do stores sell smoke bombs this time of year? Braun pondered.
For the past seven years Cody Braun’s softball team — a mix of musicians and athletes — has lost to his brother Willy’s team. Before that, they had one victory and another loss. He has one more year to boost his score, so he needs to pull out all the stops.
On Sunday, the final Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam is taking place at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. In its 10 years, the “talent-optional, antics-filled” softball game and concert has raised more than $400,000 for noble causes.
“We have had an absolute blast getting to relive our childhood dreams at Dell Diamond each year with all of our friends and families,” Braun said in a news release announcing this would be the last year. “We have met so many inspiring people and made many lifelong friendships through this event, and we look forward to many more adventures together in the future.”
Every year, local athletes and as many as 21 bands have donated their time to the cause. The Sultans of Sing and the One Hit Wonders — who, despite the name, are up 8-to-1 — duke it out in a friendly game of softball. Following that, the bands preform and jam together.
Baseball has been an important part of life for the Brauns, who grew up playing the sport. They recognize that not all children have the opportunity to play sports, especially when public funding gets cut. That’s why the event has been so important to them over the years.
The event has supported hurricane relief, the SIMS Foundation and several nonprofits that help youths get involved in sports.
This year, just like the first year, the profits will go to Miracle League at Town & Country, an organization that helps children with disabilities play baseball.
Ten years ago, the idea was sparked when the Braun brothers mentioned at a Round Rock Express game that they would love to play on the field. What started as mostly a joke and a serious desire to play on the field turned into a communitywide event when the Triple-A affiliate said they could help the brothers.
Crowds anywhere from 3,500 to 6,500 have attended the event each year. And with this being the last one, Braun said, “The closer it gets, the sadder I get about this being the last year.”
But, the older the bands get, he said, the harder it has been to coordinate the event.
“It’s just been harder and harder to make it happen every year and we want to end on a high note,” Braun said.
The band is not done helping the community and music related charities, they are just going to do it in a different way in the future.
This year’s concert will feature 10 bands, including Reckless Kelly, Jack Ingram and Bonnie Whitmore.
Tickets, ranging from $25-$75, are available via the Round Rock Express website, milb.com/round-rock. Gates at Dell Diamond open at noon with the game starting at 1 p.m.