McLEAN, VA — A slew of sports stars from DC and beyond stepped up to the plate on Saturday for the 2025 Swing into Summer event.
Current and former Capitals players Braden Holtby, Nicklas Backstrom, TJ Oshie, Mike Green, Joel Ward, Karl Alzner, Dylan Strome, and Connor McMichael all went up to bat, as did legendary Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price.
Other notable attendees included Nationals icons Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Eaton; Commanders great Ryan Kerrigan; and USWNT’s Haley Skarupa, Hayley Scamurra, and Lacey Eden.
For the second year in a row, Alzner and his wife Mandy’s Alzner Foundation hosted a sold-out crowd at Capital One Park in McLean, Va for the home run derby and charity softball game. The 2025 event benefitted Fight for Children’s Early Access to Sports program, bringing a variety of sports to six- and seven-year-old kids in Wards 7 and 8.
Alzner expressed his gratitude for the flock of players willing to come out and participate, with some even flying to the East Coast in order to join in.
“The event doesn’t work without those guys,” he said. “We’re happy that they’re here. I’m hoping, especially for the first timers, once they start playing and see how it’s run, that they really enjoy themselves and want to come back instead of us having to ask, ‘Pretty please, will you come back?’ We did have a few of those responses this year where they were hoping to get the call, so that was a good feeling.”
Backstrom and Oshie served as the two captains, leading Team Starr Hill and Team Palo Immix, respectively.
Team Starr Hill included current and former Capitals Backstrom, Alzner, Green, and McMichael as well as former MLB players Zimmerman and Shawn Camp, former DC United captain Steven Birnbaum, USWNT’s Scamurra and Skarupa, and softball pro Marieo Foster.
On Team Palo Immix were current/former NHLers Oshie, Holtby, Price, Ward, and Strome, former NFL players Kerrigan and Nate Solder, University of Wisconsin–Madison and USA Hockey’s Eden, former Washington Spirit and Olympian Nicole Barnhart, and softball pro Johnny Bailey.
The star-studded rosters extended even off the field: Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin provided commentary throughout the afternoon, while Bob McDonald and Caleb Green sang the national anthem.
Festivities kicked off with a home run derby and hockey target shooting, securing Oshie’s squad a 3-run advantage before the first pitch.
That early lead came in handy in what proved a tight contest.
After a three-run homer from Dylan Strome in the sixth inning, Team Starr Hill put up off a four-run inning to push the game past the seventh, but Team Palo Immix pulled through for a 26-24 win, closing it out on a double play.
Despite the close score, there was plenty of fun to be had during the largely-lighthearted game. Players’ kids often took the field, with Anson Alzner, Vince Backstrom, and Haley Backstrom even participating in the ceremonial first pitches.
Braden Holtby’s choice of “Pink Pony Club” for his walk-up music proved a big hit.
And the Nationals’ Racing Presidents — sans Teddy — made a surprise appearance for a three-man race.
Once Oshie and his squad accepted their victory trophy, players from both teams mingled with fans on the field, ending the feel-good day with one last round of smiles.
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