EASTLAKE, Ohio — The stars were out on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon in Northeast Ohio, as Cavs point guard Darius Garland hosted his inaugural celebrity softball game at Classic Auto Group Park — the home of the Lake County Captains.
Garland, the longtime baseball fanatic who is still recovering from offseason toe surgery that impacted his playoff performance, was unable to participate — although he got a few hacks in the batting cage and threw a first-pitch strike to Cavaliers teammate Max Strus to kick off the festivities.
“I feel great. The recovery process is going well. But I’m here for my foundation,” Garland said on Saturday. “I’m here to spread some positivity around the city of Cleveland and trying to have a good time. I always loved baseball, so I tried to make it a little bit competitive and kind of friendly as well.
“It’s my first one, so I’m kind of nervous, but I hope it’s going to be really cool and everybody really enjoys themselves.”
A former shortstop and pitcher, Garland played baseball until eighth grade — when he needed to choose a path.
“I took the basketball route, which is really good in my opinion,” Garland said with a bright smile. “Baseball has always been one of my favorite sports to watch and play. I had a little bit of heat for my age with the fastball. I had a little changeup. I was starting to learn the curve, but my dad actually broke his arm throwing the curveball so he didn’t let me throw it until I got a little bit older. I wish I would’ve gotten that down, but the two pitches did its thing and got me a lot of strikeouts.”
The fun-filled afternoon began with a Home Run Derby — a competition won by Strus, one of seven members of the organization on the field Saturday.
Strus topped Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul in the derby championship round. The hard-hitting Cavalier also opened the scoring in the game a few minutes later with a dinger.
Aside from Strus and, of course, Garland, president of basketball operations Koby Altman, team executive Grant Gilbert, head coach Kenny Atkinson (he went to a nearby batting cage a few days ago to practice), All-Star Evan Mobley and second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson were the other Cavaliers on hand.
Veteran Tristan Thompson, still an unrestricted free agent with an uncertain NBA future, participated as well. Garland’s high-profile backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell — also a baseball lover — was out of town filming a previously-scheduled commercial that prevented him from participating.
Darius Garland Softball
Darius Garland and teammate Max Strus were two members of the Cavaliers in attendance for Garland's inaugural celebrity softball game.Chris Fedor, Cleveland.com
The star-studded celebrity rosters featured rappers, entertainers, influencers, DJs, local media members and other athletes, including a pair of former Browns — Joe Haden and Josh Cribbs.
All of the proceeds benefitted the Darius Garland Foundation, which Garland started about five or six years ago.
“This city has embraced me since day one, and this event is a way to give that love back,” Garland said. “It’s more than just a game — it’s a celebration with purpose, supporting the work we’re doing through the Darius Garland Foundation to uplift and empower others in a meaningful way.
“... just to help beyond the jersey, around the community, around the world with sports, life and education. That’s really the three things I’m passionate about.”
Throughout the afternoon, Garland interacted with fans, striking up conversations behind home plate, smiling for photos, signing autographs and showing his appreciation.
“It means a lot,” Garland said when asked about the support he continues to get from the community. “It really means a lot just to see everybody’s faces and everybody pretty eager to play.”
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