Former Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner and his Alzner Foundation hit it out of the park on Saturday with their inaugural “Swing into Summer” event at the brand-new Capital One Park in Tysons, Virginia. The event featured a Celebrity Home Run Derby and Slow Pitch Softball Game, drawing sports and entertainment celebrities for a fun-filled day of athleticism and camaraderie.
Families flocked to the state-of-the-art baseball field for an afternoon of lively competition and star-studded entertainment. NoVa Caps’ photojournalist Joe Noyes was on site capturing all the action. You can check out his impressive work on Instagram or visit his website.
Numerous esteemed members of the Capitals family, spanning both past and present, were actively involved in the event, including Braden Holtby, who not only participated but also assumed the role of team captain. Among the notable attendees were Devante Smith-Pelly, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson, Tom Wilson, Mike Green, Steve Oleksy, Eric Fehr, and Jeff Halpern.
The event also saw the presence of Hayley Scamurra, an Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Champion representing PWHL Ottawa and the U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey team. Joining her was Haley Skarupa, an Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Champion, hailing from Rockville, Maryland. Skarupa, formerly associated with NWHL, PWHPA, and the U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey team, now holds the role of head scout for the U.S. Women’s National Team program.
In addition, seasoned baseball talents returned to the field, including Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Eaton, champions of the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals, alongside Maryland native Brett Cecil, known for his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals. Also present was Shawn Camp, from Fairfax, a former MLB pitcher who now serves as head coach at George Mason University baseball.
Nate Solder, former offensive tackle for the NFL’s New England Patriots and New York Giants, and a two-time Super Bowl champion, graced the diamond as well. Media personalities also joined in, such as Natalie Spala, a sports anchor and reporter for ABC 7News, and Annie Mae, a morning reporter and anchor at Fox 5, who doubles as the arena host for the Capitals. Washington Spirit players Ashley Hatch, Brittany Ratcliffe, Lena Silano, and Nicole Barnhart manned the bases.
Among the distinguished athletes was Marieo “Agent 23” Foster, a professional softball player representing Easton Sports and serving as a First Responders & Military Program Ambassador. Foster boasts championships across various softball sanctions and holds the esteemed position of Federal Police Chief, with a decorated three-decade-long career in the US Army.
The event also featured Christopher “Sticky” Burrell, another professional softball player selected as a Senior Softball Pro representing Rawlings Sports Group’s brands. Burrell, known for his military service with the Presidential Honor Guard unit of the US Army, The 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, brings a wealth of experience from deployments worldwide.
Mandy and Karl Alzner founded the Alzner Foundation from their mutual dedication to empowering the next generation through youth sports. Their mission is to promote participation in sports, enhance physical well-being, provide access to sports for underprivileged youth, and cultivate essential life skills.
Alzner, the Capitals’ fifth overall pick in 2007, signed a five-year contract with the Montréal Canadiens as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2017. On October 6, 2020, the Canadiens placed him on waivers to buy out the final two seasons of his contract. Alzner became a free agent after clearing waivers. Despite not formally retiring, he remained unsigned the following summer and never returned to professional hockey.
By Della Young