It will no doubt be with heavy hearts that they take the field.

There is bound to be plenty of fun-filled action sprinkled in-between during this year’s Franklin Township Girls’ Old-Timers Softball Game.

Hosted by the Franklin Township Softball Association, the sixth annual benefit game will be held Saturday at Christman Field. The rain date is Sunday.

The proceeds from this year’s event will go toward Vanessa Hand’s children to be placed into college funds.

Hand was a former player for Franklin Township who passed away in 2019.

Erica Mesaros, Hand’s sister, said she would be proud.

“All the girls were former players; many of them actually played alongside Vanessa, which was really cool,” Mesaros said. “We’re hoping it’s going to be a huge event.”

Mesaros said there will be a chance auction, 50/50 drawings, concession stand and bake sale.

“The community has just supported us with support and love,” she said. “And it’s so neat to see the community come together for three little kiddos who lost their mom.”

Mesaros said the event is extremely important to her family.

“Vanessa was an All-Star pitcher, she had a huge love of the game, spent hours and hours on the mound,” she said. “It was a very important part of her life.”

Mesaros said special shirts have been made for Hand, who wore No. 11 much of her career, and all the girls and the family will have the same shirts.

Don Rehrig, event co-organizer, said the game is open to any girl 18 or older or coach who has previously played for the Franklin Township Softball Association.

“It takes a lot of hands,” Rehrig said. “This is for fun.”

Rehrig said the game has raised just shy of $10,000 since its inception.

“Initially this was started up for someone who had played throughout the system,” he said. “After a couple years, we started to see who we could help.”

Rehrig said that the game previously raised funds for the Franklin Township Fire Department, Lehighton Fire Department, Butch Rodgers Scholarship fund, and American Legion Post 314 of Lehighton.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the game may contact Rehrig at 610-377-5607 or 610-762-9518.

Those who wish to make a donation may contact Rehrig, Jeff Smith at 610-577-6486, or Tiffany Snyder at 610-762-7974.