Grand Ole Opry & iHeart Radio to Strike Out Cancer at City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game

The Grand Ole Opry and iHeart Radio are readying their rosters as they prepare to strike out cancer at the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game. More than 25 music and sports stars will step up to the plate for this 25 th anniversary event, taking place June 13 from the new First Tennessee Park during CMA Music Festival. Tickets are available now at http://bit.ly/csg15pr.

Country standouts Angie Johnson, Bret Michaels, Bucky Covington, Deana Carter, JT Hodges, Phil Vassar and The Bobby Bones Show, along with Titans cornerback Perrish Cox and current and former Nashville Predators players Seth Jones and Stu Grimson, will play alongside previously announced participants Aaron Watson, Charles Esten, Chuck Wicks, Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Ell, Little Big|Brave Town, Love and Theft, and Vince Gill to strike out cancer with City of Hope. Winning StageIt performers SaraBeth and Doug McCormick will also take to the field for the anniversary event. CMT After Midnite's Cody Alan and The Crook and Chase Countdown's Lorianne Crook will emcee and offer play-by-plays for the thousands of fans in attendance.

Team Opry: Aaron Watson, Bucky Covington, Charles Esten, Chuck Wicks, Deana Carter, Eric Gunderson (Love And Theft), JT Hodges, Jimi Westbrook (Little Big|Brave Town), Kimberly Schlapman (Little Big|Brave Town), Phil Vassar, SaraBeth, Stu Grimson and Vince Gill.

Team iHeart Radio: Angie Johnson, Bret Michaels, Doug McCormick, Karen Fairchild (Little Big|Brave Town), Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Ell, Perrish Cox, Phillip Sweet (Little Big|Brave Town), Seth Jones, Stephen Barker Liles (Love And Theft) plus The Bobby Bones Show's Bobby Bones, Eddie and Lunchbox.

Joining the lineup is Music City native Stephen Bess, who received lifesaving treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia more than two years ago at City of Hope. He and his genetically matched stem cell donor, who reside nine time zones apart, will meet for the very first time in a special ceremony before taking the field at the 25 th annual Celebrity Softball Game.

A pioneer in the treatment of bone and blood marrow diseases, City of Hope has performed more than 12,000 lifesaving bone marrow transplants. It also is a leading biomedical research institute for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. The City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game, presented by Staples and sponsored by PEOPLE Country, raises funds for that research.

Each year, the Celebrity Softball Game regularly features some of Country Music's biggest and hottest stars. Over the years, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Scotty McCreery, Vince Gill and many more have taken to the field in support of City of Hope's lifesaving mission.

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research institution and comprehensive cancer center where scientists and physicians quickly transform scientific discoveries into better treatments and prevention strategies for people around the world. Support from the Nashville community and its country music artists directly benefit City of Hope's mission to find cures for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

Tickets for the game can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Get more information on the game and the line-up of celebrities at www.cityofhope.org/softball. Those not able to attend the game can still support the cause. A variety of unique merchandise and experiences, including meet-and-greets with the hottest artists, will be available for bid at charitybuzz.com. The proceeds will benefit City of Hope's mission to eradicate cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Learn more about the game HERE.

About City of Hope
City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope's main hospital is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with clinics in Antelope Valley and South Pasadena. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on facebook, twitter, youtube or flickr.

SOURCE City of Hope

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