THE softball community is showcasing their support to boxer Z Gorres’ financial needs.
The event, Bat for Z, is spearheaded by Mexican-American Michael Lopez, who is also a boxing trainer.
It will be staged at the East Visayan Academy (EVA) grounds and organizers hope to generate funds for Z Gorres’ rehabilitation.
“I already got the blessings of ALA (Antonio Lopez Aldeguer). Gorres and his wife Datchess are also enthusiastic about the idea. The softball players as well are open to the idea of helping Gorres whom they also looked up to every time he fought on the ring,” Lopez told Sun.Star Cebu.
Lopez, who was at the corner of Roberto “Mako” Leyva last year at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, is co-organizing the event with Rose Pormo, a former softball pitcher of Bacolod City.
Pormo is also a close friend of the Gorres couple.
EVA, a school ran by the Seventh Day Adventists, welcomes the idea of holding the event at its grounds to help the recovery of Gorres.
“EVA principal Lemuel Banday, the school staff and faculty, are very enthusiastic about the Z Gorres benefit softball tournament, that is why they welcomed the idea of holding it at their grounds. Z and his wife will be there to throw the ceremonial pitch. We also invited Cebuano boxing champions Donnie Nietes and Rodel Mayol to come and bring their belts and to give their fans a chance to take pictures with them,” said Lopez.
Pormo on the other hand is expecting at least eight teams to in this one-day event, which will also feature a homerun derby, a little league exhibition match and other softball-related fun games.
“We hope to gather many people to come and help our cause. Because this is the only way we can contribute to Gorres and his family,” added Lopez.
Today, a dry run of sorts will be held at the EVA grounds as the Rebels Softball Club play in another exhibition match with the Halbstarkein Softball team at 2 p.m.
