Artists and Writers Charity Softball Game

By Joseph Palmisano

As the Albert

Von

Tilzer and Jack Norworth song goes, ‘Take

Me Out to the Ball Game, Take Me Out with the Crowd’, there’s no better ball game to go out with the crowd than the highly anticipated, fun filled and star-studded Artists and Writers Charity Softball Game played every August (August 19, 2023 @ 2pm) at Herrick Park in East Hampton. Going on its 75th year, this humble game all started in 1948 in the front yard of artist Wilfrid Zogbaum. Back then East Hampton, and especially Springs, offered inexpensive large studios that were brightly lit and very conducive to an artist’s craft. Artists Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning, Philip Pavia, Jackson Pollock and Joan Mitchell were some of the first to play the game. Since then, they’ve been followed by such luminaries as Leif Hope-he loves to slip in a turnip ‘ball’ and pitch it to an unsuspecting batter, Chevy Chase, Alan Alda, Christie Brinkley, Lauren Bacall, Christopher Reeve, Paul Simon, Dr. Ruth, Bianca Jagger, James Lipton, Joan Mitchell, Mr. G., Mike Lupica, Peter Jennings, Chris Wragge, Joe Torre, Lori Singer, Tommy Clohessy, Carl Bernstein, Joseph Palmisanoguest announcer, Joseph Palmisano III-batboy, and President Bill Clinton who throws the first pitch-this will be his thirty fifth appearance. Putting this on year after year is a herculean effort. Many people donate their time to ensure that the event is successful, being that it benefits many east end charities. One of those people is David Brandman. He’s not only a board member but he and his family record the game for re-broadcast and of course posterity. We caught up with David to see what’s up for this year.

David explains that it’s the 75th Anniversary of the game and it’s one of the biggest and best events that you can attend out east. He and his family have been involved with the game for years and he loves what it does for the many charities that it benefits.

‘Over the years, the game has raised not only money but, it has brought awareness to many of the east end’s charitable organizations,’ says David. David is looking forward to bringing out the crowds and the stars who make this game what it is. He’s looking forward to continuing this storied tradition for years to come.

Batter Up!

To find out more and to donate, go to Awgame.org and follow them on IG: @Artistsandwritersgame