63rd Annual Artists vs. Writers
Charity Softball Game
Forbes writer Michael Safir, director Scott Hamilton Kennedy, artist Bill Strong "the green explorer", Manhattan architect Ronnette Riley and Leif Hope, captain of the artists team and lead organizer.
On Saturday August 20, 2011 the 63rd Annual Artists vs. Writers charity softball game attracted over 1,000 spectators to East Hampton’s Field of Dreams, Herrick Park. The Writers’ exacted revenge for last year’s defeat with a 17-12 victory over the Artists. Leif Hope, the game's lead organizer, at a post game gathering, at Race Lane Restaurant in East Hampton, announced that the game helped raise over $73,000 dollars for three local charities; East Hampton Day Care Learning Center, East End Hospice and Phoenix Houses of Long Island. The August tradition drew a crowd of over 1,000 onlookers, he said.
The Artists Team.
The Writers Team.
One of the finest and longest running traditions on the East End of Long Island, a veritable slice of Americana amidst the glitz and glam of the Hamptons summer season is the Artists & Writers softball game. Since 1948 this game has been played attracting luminaries from the arts (both the stage and silver screen), media, society, politics, business and community leaders. The definition of who is or what is an actual ‘artist’ or ‘writer’ has evolved along with the game itself. The first time this game was played for charity was in 1968. During and after the heat of battle over beverages generously supplied by Snapple and Brooklyn Brewery debates rage about how one side or another was stacked with one ringer or another questioning how they fall inside the definition of an artist or writer is a regular part of the banter between friends; friends who are rivals for a few hours on lazy Summer afternoon in East Hampton.
By midday from the shops on Main Street to the steps of the Long Island Railroad stop in East Hampton, you can already hear the clinking sound of a fresh Debeer Clincher Softball being struck by an aluminum bat. You simply follow the sound. And for a moment you have to pinch yourself because you feel like Michael J. Fox in Doc Hollywood who on his way cross country to another great metropolis, has somehow landed in small town America, a little town called Grady. It is on this day more than almost any other on the East End that this small town of East Hamptons seems like a Norman Rockwell painting; leaving you no choice but to simply appreciate the rich history of this exclusive enclave and the simple pleasures of life, amidst the turbulent times we live in.
Peter McEneaney, Kevin McEneaney, Ken Auletta, Debbie McEneaney, Walter Isaacson.
Ticket sales, concessions and a silent auction to benefit the charities were held at the First Pitch Cocktail Party on the night before the game at the Sag Harbor home of event organizer Debby Sands McEneaney, husband Kevin McEneaney and sons Peter and Ian McEneaney.
Artist Eric Ernst and Ed Hollander, Co-MVP of the 2010 game.
The Writers jumped out into an early lead. The leggy and athletic Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City, was unable with her short shorts to sufficiently distract a writers squad seemingly determined to exact retribution for a painful loss suffered in last year’s affair. The Countess had a hard time getting the ball over the plate initially but when she finally did, she served up a series of meatballs which were clobbered by a hungry Writers squad, staking them to an early five run lead, a lead that was threatened but never relinquished. At one point they led 8-0.
Josh Charles at bat.
Some believe the addition of 2010 MVP Josh Charles who currently plays a lead role in the American legal drama “The Good Wife”, and who was honored before the game with 2010 Co-MVP Ed Hollander, spooked the Writers when he was added to the Artists squad in 2010. One recalls that before the 2010 game, the Writers’ seemed notably confident and in good spirits prior to the game given their stirring late game heroics in 2009, until Charles, during batting practice, put on a hitting tutorial that would have made Charley Lau proud. His scalding line drives were sprayed with power and authority all over Herrick Park sending a message that 2010 would be different. On that day, I caught two prolific authors, Writers manager Ken Auletta and star second baseman and MVP of the Writers victory in 2009, Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News giving each other a knowing glance. Fast forward to 2011 and the gentleman donning a Writers’ Jersey for the their squad was none other than Yankees hero Jim Leyritz who is best known for hitting numerous postseason home runs that either won, tied, or changed the momentum of several series, both Playoffs and World Series. Yankees fans will forever remember Leyritz for resuscitating their quickly evaporating their World Series title hopes in 1996 when he hit a 3-run home run off Atlanta Braves closer Mark Wohlers in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series. That home run was significant, as the momentum from then on shifted towards the Yankees. While Leyritz was a journeyman playing with several teams throughout his career, "The King" is known for hitting the last home run of the 1990s in Game 4 of the 1999 World Series. So how did Leyritz make it to the Writers’ squad?
Ken Auletta, Mike Lupica and New York Rangers Legend Rod Gilbert.
Jim Leyritz nails a line drive.
Leyritz wrote a book titled Catching Heat: The Jim Leyritz Story, published in June 2011 and co-written by brothers Jeffrey Lyons and Douglas B. Lyons. In the book Leyritz humbly and thoughtfully explains the controversy surrounding his well publicized troubles off the field. While some initially may have felt his addition was controversial, Leyritz’s star power was eclipsed only by his humility and engaging nature. He won over a sea of cynics, critics, writers and artists. Make no mistake that Leyritz’s presence was actually quite fitting. Phoenix House one of the beneficiaries of this charitable event is an institution that helps those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitate themselves and find that second chance in life. And the consensus is that Leyritiz is a citizen who just maybe deserves his as well. An injury to Mike Lupica, opened the door to Leyritz coming off the bench to enter the game. Lupica was treated by artist/team doctor, Ron Noy. 1010 WINS anchor and award winning reporter, Juliet Papa who has served as one of the game’s announcers for over 20 years, described the animated and clearly agitated Lupica as “limping and cranky”. Although it should be noted that despite the game’s charitable bent it is a once per year affair and Bridgehampton home owner, Lupica has been playing in it for 30 years so one might appreciate his frustration at sustaining a quirky injury so early in this years battle.
Jim Leyritz poses with Writers big bats including 2011 MVP David Baer.
The Writers built their seemingly insurmountable lead on the hefty bats of Mike Pellman and David Baer who each had home runs. In fact, as I learned from Manhattan Architect Ronnette Riley who was keeping score for the Artists and assisting Artists manager and lead organizer Leif Hope, David Baer had a 1005 on base average with 4 hits and 1 walk. Questions were raised. Is he really a writer? Who is he? Turns out, David is a graduate of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where he majored in magazine journalism and minored in political science. His experience includes The New York Daily News, The Daily Orange, Rivals.com, BleacherReport.com,CitrusTV, and Ultimate Athlete Magazine
Rod Gilbert and Dan Rattiner.
Artist standout performer was Ed McCarthy who belted two home runs. Academy Award Nominated Director Scott Hamilton Kennedy, led off the rally of the Artists in the 9th inning with 2 outs by getting on base. Ultimately despite Leif Hope’s leadership they could not duplicate the magic of the 8th inning when they nearly took the lead and were behind by just one run. The rally was snuffed out by the stellar fielding of the Writers’ squad and despite some confusing if not questionable calls by Hamptons icon, founder of Dans Papers and author of a truly good read “In the Hamptons: My Fifty Years with Farmers, Fishermen, Artists, Billionaires, and Celebrities”, umpire Dan Rattiner. In the end most concluded that the calls were a wash. Notably, Sculptor, Jeff Meizlik completed his 36th straight year of playing.
Alec Baldwin as Babe Ruth.
Adding to the Artists’ star power were Alec Baldwin and actors Josh Charles, Lori Singer and Greg Bello and painter Eric Ernst. All eyes and cameras, however, were on the Long Island born New Yorker, star of stage, screen and television, a man beloved in this town as much for his artistic skills and talents as he is for commitment and love for New York displayed in his philanthropy for institutions like the New York Philharmonic, the Group For the East End, Guild Hall and the East Hampton Library among others. Despite doing his best “Babe Ruth” and calling his shot late in the game with the Artists rallying, Alec Baldwin’s anticlimactic ground out did not cause anyone to lose the faith because underlying for the ups and downs in Baldwin’s professional life has been a clear trajectory upward very much like one of Ruth’s moon shots. As stated by James Walcott in Vanity Fair, “And yet for everything that’s happened to him and around him, Alec Baldwin shows not the pitted surface of a battered survivor but the smooth finish of a beloved entertainer.” So while Baldwin could use some more time in the batting cage, it is notable that he came into this game looking the best he has in years physically, leaving many to wonder whether Alec’s yoga instructor girlfriend Hilaria Thomas is responsible for not just reinvigorating his spirit but his physicality as well. If so, it could very well be that despite his backing off plans to run for Mayor of New York City, his Ruthian stance may simply be a reminder of things to come in next year’s game. All signs to seem to be pointing up for this product of Long Island so his bat might as well do the same.
Leif Hope.
At a post game gathering, at Race Lane in East Hampton, Leif Hope the game's lead organizer, holding a Martini in one hand and gesticulating with his other was able to briefly command the attention of the boisterous crowd that was consuming ice cold beer supplied by Brooklyn Brewery, to advise that the game helped raise over $73,000 dollars for three local charities. The banter then switched to talk of next year and jokes that Baer should have a Co-MVP in Artists pitcher Countess Luann de Lesseps, before the spirited gathering dispersed for the summer. For more about this tradition, visit www.artistswritersgame.com.
Lori Singer, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps.
Kendall Veenema, Taylor Smith.
East Hampton Village Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach, Jr., actor Jean Reno, James Lipton.
Melissa Toma, Stu Sleppin.
Tenor David O'Leary performed during the 7th inning stretch.
Priscilla Ruffin, Director of East End Hospice announcing their new 8 bed residence that they plan to build.
Dave Johnson, Development Associate at East End Hospice, Author Erika Katz.
Juliet Papa, artist Edith Ingenhaag.
Mark Green, Walter Isaacson, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute.
Walter Bernard, Debbie McEneaney, Neil Leifer.
Kevin McEneaney, Debbie McEneaney, Jim Leyritz, Michelle Caruso.
Story by Christopher London, Esq. with photos by ManhattanSociety.com by Partanio & London exclusively for Panache Privee
