Pacers, past and present on hand for the 2017 softball challenge at Victory Field.
The 10th annual 2018 Caroline Symmes Celebrity Softball Challenge, one of the highlights of the summer, will be held on Thursday, June 7th at Victory Field.
The game benefits the Indiana Children’s Wish Fund, which works to grant wishes to Indiana children, ages 3-18, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. The game is in memory of Caroline Symmes, a Wish child who was involved with the inaugural event and passed away in December 2009.
Robert Mathis of the Colts, now retired, has co-hosted the event from the beginning. The other host has come from the Pacers. It started with Roy Hibbert, then was passed down to George Hill and Paul George, and now … Myles Turner. The team’s starting center has his name on the event and will lead a team for the first time.
Last year’s game was won by Mathis’ team, but the prevailing storyline was George telling reporters that he’s a Pacer and wants to stay after his goal since he arrive in 2010. “It’s all about trying to bring a championship to Indiana,” he said.
Then his agent informed the Pacers the next day that he would not be exercising his player option for the 2018-19 season, essentially suggesting that they trade him now. Which Kevin Pritchard did, to Oklahoma City, two weeks later.
Expect Turner to bring many of his Pacers teammates out, and for a few former Pacers to attend, as usual.
Gates open at 5:30 pm and the challenge will begin at 7:00. Tickets are $10 and available to purchase online here, or from the Victory Field Box Office (317-269-3545). Children 3 and under are free.
Highlights from 2017: