Fans who arrive at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Coors Field could get a reminder of what it's like to see Vinny Castilla hit a dinger.
Castilla, who hit 239 home runs in nine seasons with the Rockies and is now a special assistant with the club, is one of 12 Denver athletes who will compete in a home run derby for charity prior to the Rockies-Cubs series finale.
UCHealth is hosting its first-ever Healthy Swings Home Run Derby as a way to raise awareness about strokes. UCHealth plans to donate money to the National Stroke Association for every hit. Every donation will depend on the distance of the hit.
Here's the full lineup of athletes who are participating:
- Ryan Spilborghs (Rockies)
- Pierre Turgeon (Avs)
- John Grant Jr. (Mammoth)
- Ken Klee (Avs)
- Cory Sullivan (Rockies)
- Mark Randall (Nuggets)
- Brad Hawpe (Rockies)
- Francois Beauchemin (Avs)
- Malik Beasley (Nuggets)
- Dante Bichette (Rockies)
- Mark Schlereth (Broncos)
- Vinny Castilla (Rockies)
Five former Rockies are on the list. Mark Schlereth is the only former Bronco. Malik Beasley, who just wrapped up his rookie season, and Mark Randall, who played two seasons in Denver in the 90s, are the Nuggets' representatives.
UCHealth plans to give $50 for infield hits, $100 for hits to the outfield, $500 for home runs and $1,000, $2,500 or $5,000 if contestants can hit any of the four targets that will be set up in the outfield. Each participant gets 3 minutes to take as many swings as possible.
The event is scheduled to run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. The Rockies play the Cubs at 1:10 p.m.
