The Pacers Foundation is leading a charity softball challenge Monday evening at Victory Field, co-captained by Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton and Colts quarterback Daniel Jones.
Tickets are $10. Fans will be allowed in at 6 p.m. and the game is scheduled to get underway around 7 p.m. (Box office is still selling tickets, I’m told.)
This game is a reimagined version of the event that used to be hosted at Victory Field through 2018.
Then, after a decade-long tradition, the Caroline Symmes Celebrity Softball Challenge suddenly ended when, according to game organizers, Victory Field elected to go in a different direction. The event benefited the Indiana Children’s Wish Fund.
Then COVID-19 happened.
And it hadn’t resumed since.
But it’s something Haliburton has wanted to do for a while now.
His idea got delayed after he suffered a torn Achilles in the first quarter, of the final game, of the 2025 NBA Finals. It’s been all rehab ever since — OK, a wedding too — but being sidelined also gave him more time to help shape what he wanted this event to become.
Both Haliburton and Jones are coming back from torn Achilles injuries — and were operated on by the same surgeon.
“We’re trying to just create more positive memories behind it,” Haliburton told reporters. “And I was not here during that time, but being friends with McAfee and those guys and hearing a lot of positive stories about that event. I want to be able to create that for kind of a new generation of fans as well — for kids and adults all alike.
“So I’m really looking forward to it. It’s gonna be a lot of fun and we’re gonna have a lot of people there.”
This is a fun, yet competitive event that is typically held in June, when teams are off but guys are in town for workouts. They can be loose and have fun on the diamond. Local celebrities and media members were previously invited to play as well.
Robert Mathis played an instrumental role in co-hosting each year. On the Pacers side, Roy Hibbert, Paul George, George Hill, and Myles Turner each led the charge during different times.
How long ago was that 2018 game? Nate McMillan was head coach and Turner’s team beat Mathis’ in the last challenge.
Players representing the Pacers included Edmond Sumner, Alex Poythress, TJ Leaf, Ben Moore, Trevor Booker, Ike Anigbogu, Lance Stephenson, etc.
It was fitting that Stephenson pulled off the hidden-ball trick in 2018, the last time the game was played.
Several years ago, after Haliburton signed a max contract extension with the Pacers, he went to Karen Atkeson, VP of Player Relations, and told her “this is something I really wanna bring back.”
So they did.
Pat McAfee, who chose to live in central Indiana after his punting days for the Colts, is emceeing the event. Several members from his daily sports talk show will be participating as well, including former Colt Darius Butler.
But McAfee willing to emcee is a big favor to Haliburton and the team — because he is everywhere these days. Plus, he has a toddler and a newborn.
The beneficiary is the Pacers Foundation, with proceeds specifically supporting Rick Carlisle’s Drive & Dish program I told you about almost three years ago. All money raised will go toward helping address youth food insecurity, which affects approximately 260,000 Hoosiers under the age of 14, according to the foundation.
“The Pacers Foundation Charity Softball Classic is about bringing people together for a fun, memorable night while shining a light on an issue that affects too many young people across Indiana,” said Corey Wilson, Pacers Sports & Entertainment SVP of community engagement.
“We’re grateful to Tyrese and the incredible group of athletes and entertainers joining us at Victory Field, and we’re excited to give fans a unique experience that will help support the Pacers Foundation’s efforts to address youth food insecurity.”
Twenty-four hours before the first pitch, the Pacers released updated rosters — which are subject to change given the circumstances, like how the Colts are now in season.
That includes fellow Pacers T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin, Jay Huff, and Aaron Nesmith. Along with Johnny Furphy, who is continuing to rehab his torn ACL.
And from the Colts, players like Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, Sauce Gardner, Cam Bynum, Mo Alie-Cox, Josh Downs, Riley Leonard, and Quenton Nelson are included.
For Haliburton, this is another way to make an impact in Indianapolis ahead of making his return to the basketball court after a long, grueling 16 months away.
And after an eight-year absence, a familiar summer tradition at Victory Field is finally back — this time with a new generation leading it.