King looking forward to charity softball game
Charles Dobbins, a member of the "King and His Court'' softball team takes some practice swings during a game last year at Belle Vernon High School.
Pitcher Rich Hoppe of the "King and His Court'' softball team addresses the crowd during last year's game at Belle Vernon High School. The "King and His Court'' will be playing a team of HeraldStandard.com employees and Fayette County Courthouse employees on Sunday, June 26 at Laurel Highlands High School.
Washington Township Supervisor Chuck Yusko enjoys a laugh with the Pirate Parrot during last year's game with the "King and His Court'' at Belle Vernon High School.
Sate Sen. Rich Kasunic (D-Dunbar) gets ready to swing against the "King and His Court'' last year during a game at Belle Vernon High School.
?When “The King and His Court” come to Laurel Highlands High School on Sunday, June 26, fans will get to experience a softball game unlike anything they have ever seen.
The four-man team fields only a pitcher, catcher, first baseman and shortstop. Most often compared with the Harlem Globetrotters of basketball, “The King and His Court” provide incredible athletic talent with comedic entertainment for all ages when they take the field.
“We make the game more of a show for the fans,” said pitcher Rich Hoppe. “We don’t really care about the score of the game as much as we do about providing a very comedic and uplifting show for the fans.”
“The King and His Court” originated in 1946 and was started by five guys in Walla Walla, Wash. Over the past 64 years, the group has traveled to 102 countries and has played over 60,000 games. This year marks their 65th and final year in action as they have set out on their farewell tour.
Hoppe has pitched with the team for 30 years and remembers falling in love with the team when he was a child.
“When I was a kid, they came to my hometown and I had no idea what this was,” he said.
“But, when I went to watch them play, I could not believe that a team could look that good and be that talented. After that I knew I wanted to be a part of their team some day.”
When Hoppe was 15, he was able to play a game against “The King and His Court” and performed well enough against them that they had to find out who this kid was.
“After the game they called me over the PA system to come talk with them,” he said.
“I was so intimidated talking to them, but they invited me to go on a summer tour with them and ever since then I’ve loved it.”
All proceeds for the game will benefit the Fayette County Relay for Life fundraiser, which be held at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus on Aug. 13-14.
“We know that there are tons of people who donate their time, effort and energy to this cause and we want to celebrate them and raise money for cancer,” said Hoppe.
“The King and his Court” was in Fayette County once last year for a game in Belle Vernon and is very excited to be returning to the area.
“We have been all over the Pittsburgh region and we just loved going there,” said Hoppe.
“The response from the community and the people who turn out for the event have been amazing. I have some close old blood there so it’s almost like a homecoming for me.”
While the travel is part of the fun of being on the team, Hoppe realizes after 30 years, it is a good time to call the quits.
“We are a bygone era where you get to see us one last time,” he said. “Nowadays, it’s hard to compete for the entertainment dollar and the time on the road is tough to pay for.
“I always hear people say ‘live your dream’ and that is what I get to do every day,” he said.
“It has been the greatest journey of my life and was so much more than I had ever expected when I first got into this.”
The “King and His Court” will be playing a local team made up of players from HeraldStandard.com and Fayette County Courthouse employees. The two teams had played each other in the Relay for Life Softball Challenge from 2001-2009.
The game will start at 5?p.m. but gates will open at 3:30 with a variety of pre-game activities.
All tickets will be $5 and can be purchased on the day of the game at the stadium.
A concession stand will be available with beverages and food for sale. DJ Mark Rafail will be providing music.
Also attending the game will be the Pirate Parrot, the loveable mascot for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cancer survivors will be able to attend the game at no cost and will be introduced in a special pre-game ceremony. Cancer survivors should call Mark O’Keefe, executive editor for HeraldStandard.com at 724-439-7569 if they plan to attend the game and take part in the activity.
In an effort to raise additional funds to raise money for the fight against cancer, donations will be accepted from local businesses and groups to help offset the costs involved with the event.
Also after the game, fans are invited to bat against the King and take a swing for cancer research.
Fees for the swings will be sold on a first come-first serve basis.
Anyone interested in being a sponsor or taking a swing against the King can do so by calling Tim Naulty, event coordinator at 724-322-1485 or by emailing him at timnaulty@msn.com.
Volunteers are also needed to help with activities at the game.
Anyone interested can call O’Keefe at 724-439-7569.
Fans will also be able to take photos and get autographs of “The King and His Court,” after the game.