Major league slugger Jose Canseco will participate in a home run derby at Saratoga Casino Hotel during their All-Star Sports Festival this Saturday (Sept. 23). For every home run hit by Canseco, Saratoga Casino Hotel will donate $100 to The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
“I can’t wait to arrive in Saratoga and hit some home runs for a great cause,” said Jose Canseco. “If you thought I could hit a baseball far, just wait until you see me get a hold of a softball.”
Canseco will receive 20 pitches from three-time World Series champion Dwight Gooden. The exhibition will take place at the halfway point of the day’s marquee event -- the celebrity softball game. In addition to Canseco and Gooden, other confirmed athletes that will be playing in the game include Reggie Jackson, Lawrence Taylor, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Goose Gossage, and Angel Cordero. A full list of athletes can be found here.
The softball game will take place at noon on the field at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased the day of the event, or in advance on SaratogaCasino.com. Children 12 and under are free. A portion of all ticket proceeds, as well as the monies raised by Canseco’s home run derby, will be donated to The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
”We’re thrilled to be receiving a donation in such an exciting fashion,” said Jeff Yule, Executive Director of The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. “We’ll be in the crowd on Saturday cheering on Jose to swing for the fences!”
Following the game, the athletes will be available for autographs and photo opportunities. Pricing varies by athlete. Local bands The Refrigerators and Skeeter Creek will be performing on an outdoor stage, and a variety of local food trucks will be on hand throughout the day.
Later on, there will be a celebrity harness race during the evening’s race card. Triple Crown winning jockeys Steve Cauthen and Jean Cruguet will take on the King of Saratoga, Angel Cordero, on the harness track. The non-wagering race will take place following the second race of the evening’s card, estimated to be 7:20 p.m.
Beginning Thursday (Sept. 21), racing fans will have the opportunity to enter a contest where they could win the opportunity to have their pictures taken in the winner's circle with all the jockeys, following the race. Entry forms will be available in all Saratoga Harness racing programs Sept. 21 through Sept. 23.
Tickets for the softball game can be purchased in advance on SaratogaCasino.com through Friday at midnight, or in-person on Saturday at the designated tent near the field entrance.
(Saratoga)