Dan's Papers - August 10, 2007 - The 59th Annual Artist-Writers Softball Game

Next weekend's 59th annual Artist-Writers Softball game is a longstanding Hampton tradition dating back to the 60s - and maybe even earlier, before Dan's Papers served to record the events of the East End - and continues to serve as a charitable event for local organizations. It is again sponsored by the East Hampton Day Care Center, the Phoenix House and the East End Hospice. This year, the highly anticipated softball game will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 18 in East Hampton on the sandlot baseball field behind Waldbaums in East Hampton. For those of you not familiar with this "friendly" competition between artists, writers and even politicians and celebrities, there's some serious background you're missing.

When the event first came to town, it consisted mostly of local names like Willem de Kooning and George Plimpton, but because of the influx in Hollywood stars to the East End area, the participants may be anyone from novelists to a politician to an award-winning actors/actresses. In the old days, the Artist-Writers Softball Game lacked some organization, but as it has grown, people arrived at the venue where refreshments, t-shirts and hats are sold. Admission to the event is free, but being that proceeds will go to local organizations, there is a suggested charitable donation.

Whoever the players are, the softball game always seems to be a great success that is enjoyed by all who attend and taken surprisingly seriously by the artists and writers who play. Although these types normally stick to intellectual and creative pursuits, the artists and writers of the past have proved that their inner brute strength and competitive nature can come out in full force on the pitch. Dan's Papers covers this event year and after year and to properly give you a feel for its atmosphere, it seems only proper that you hear the echoes of the past, if you will, to experience a part of this summer favorite.

"Identities disappear on a softball diamond. Primitive urges take hold. Writers naturally get to become their characters - 'the name's Hobbs, sir, Roy Hobbs. Right Field.' Artists get to brush themselves with dirt and float backwards tracking fly balls dropping out of the blue of their own living canvas. Bats and balls were the medium, but the stakes were large. Was it really any surprise that these guys (and disappointingly few women) wanted to win?" That's a little tidbit from the 1986 write-up of the event, which aptly sets the tone of the game the way it continues today. Over the years, spectators have watched as John Irving, Rudolph Giuliani, Kurt Vonnegut, Carl Bernstein, Peter Jennings, Bill Clinton, Paul Simon and more hugely influential people have taken the mound, sporting their softball attire and competing - some more than others, Jerry Della Femina - for that summer's best charitable benefit conversation bragging rights. And while winning matters, a big part of this event's entertainment comes from observing the players - normally in serious suits or behind a stack of books to be signed or being honored at a benefit - in a more casual setting, exchanging jokes, fooling around, and gettin' dirty.

For example, in 1973, Abbie Hoffman, standing on first base, flirted with the cheerleaders before illegally stealing second base with a great flourish and then she got called back and then stole it again! In 1994, Howard Stringer announced that Paul Simon was wearing gloves designed by spectator Donna Karan. And in 2005, Dan Rattiner's depth perception caused some confusion on whether or not Paul Simon was tagged, so Rattiner simply asked the famous seventies singer.

Expect to see some of the same antics this year as Ken Auletta, Carl Bernstein, Donnie Deutsch, Eric Earnst, Mike Lupica, Bob Balaban, David Lion Rattiner, Greg Bellow, and some surprise guests take the field. Dan Rattiner will be the umpire and Bert Sugar and Nanette Henson will be announcing. Game coordinator Leif Hope says audiences can expect the game to be "highly competitive. The winners take great pleasure in winning...and the artists lose gracefully. The writers get cranky!" Asked if he had a predication for this year's event, Hope said, "It's anyone's game."