Spooky activity will be detected at Warren Central’s Lucy Young softball field Tuesday night. Goblins and witches might be found running the bases in a fun and friendly game dedicated to a good cause.

The third annual Warren Central Spooktacular will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Warren Central’s softball and baseball teams will play a slow-pitch co-ed game in their Halloween costumes to benefit Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.

“It’s fun. It’s hilarious to see the kids all dressed up,” Warren Central softball coach Dana McGivney said.

This is the third year that Warren Central has played the benefit game. In 2014, the proceeds went to Warren Central student Afton Wallace, and last year to former student Gabby Butler. This year, all proceeds from the event will go to Blair E. Batson.

Admission is $5. In addition to the money raised at the gate, players are selling T-shirts and the concession stand will be open to help bring in a little extra.

“Each year the kids decided who or what they want to raise money for and do the benefit for,” McGivney said.

Children who attend the game in a costume get in free and will be given candy between innings. There will also be a costume contest for babies, older children, and amongst the players. From superheroes to villains, all kinds of characters will be present. This year the senior girls have come up with a top secret group costume.

“They come up with some pretty neat costumes. I’m not going to give away what my seniors are going to be because I think they’d get mad at me,” McGivney said. “The six of them are coming as a group so they’ll all kind of be dressed kind of alike.”

Players and children aren’t the only groups getting in on the action.
“We’ve usually have some pretty entertaining umpires as well,” McGivney said. “Last year we had one of the ‘A League of Their Own’ players and a Mario brother that were our umpires. Even the coaches dress up. It’s pretty fun to watch.”

Former Warren Central softball player Brooke Patterson came up with the idea of the game three years ago based on Hinds Community College’s yearly Monster Mash game as a way to give back. This year Patterson is a freshman at Hinds and, coincidentally, will be playing in the Monster Mash the same night in Raymond.

Hinds’ Monster Mash also starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, at Joe G. Moss Field on the Raymond campus. Admission to that game is $5 for adults, $2 for Hinds students, and the proceeds will also benefit Blair E. Batson.

McGivney said the Warren Central players like being able to do something for others in their community and beyond. She’s looking forward to a fun night for all during the relaxed but still competitive game.

“The kids enjoy doing it, but they also see the bigger picture. They enjoy being able to interact with the little kids and also give back to our community,” McGivney said.

WC SOFTBALL SPOOKTACULAR
• Tuesday, 6 p.m., at Warren Central
• Admission: $5 for adults, children get in free
• Warren Central softball and baseball players will dress in Halloween costumes for a co-ed softball game. All proceeds from the event benefit Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital