Pink games raising cash for cancer research

For four years Payson softball coach Jodi Beck has been telling everyone they ought to be participating in the Swing-for-Life hit-a-thon that raises money for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

"I've encouraged everyone in our region to come and go," she said. "Cancer is something that could affect them, and most people have had someone they care about affected by it."

This year high school and college volleyball, basketball, softball and baseball teams began playing pink games under the direction and with the support of Swing-for Life. Beck's team was among the first to sign up for the game, which they played last week against Orem.

"First of all, we won 10-2, so that was nice," Beck said with a laugh. "But we had an auctioneer, and in-between innings, he raffled off prizes that were donated by gas stations, restaurants and other businesses. At first, I felt bad that people were paying $60 for a $20 meal, but they were so excited."

One junior high teacher even paid $100 to get her nails manicured. A parent paid $100 for a pink jersey autographed by all of the players.

"Everyone just got into the spirit of it," Beck said.

It is the one thing, she said that helps her teach the players how their hard work on a softball field will benefit them in life.

"They get so wrapped up in being athletes that it's nice for them to be involved in a good cause," she said.

After the game, she gathered her four captains together and told them about an e-mail from Kathy Howa, who started and runs Swing-for-Life in addition to coaching Rowland Hall's softball team. The e-mail asked softball coaches to donate money to pay for pink jerseys for the Woods Cross softball team to host a pink game of their own. The Wildcats head coach Steve Drott was recently diagnosed with cancer, and Howa hoped the team could host a pink game and donate the money to Drott and his family. After all, she knows first hand how much expensive cancer treatment is.

Woods Cross has planned a Pink Game for Friday, May 1, against region rival Bountiful, but Howa is still trying to cover the cost of the pink shirts that are normally auctioned off during the games.

Beck said when she told her captains about the situation, they wanted to donate the money they raised to the Woods Cross team.

"We had so much fun at our pink game, let's give it to them," Beck said her captains told her. "So I called Kathy and she's handling it."

Howa said she's ordered the shirts and will help the team with all the logistics of trying to raise money during a game. She was in tears after hearing from Beck and she noted that this year's theme is "paying it forward."