Actress Heidi Gardner cheers as she makes it to second base during the Big Slick celebrity softball game Friday at Kauffman Stadium.
Emily Curiel
ecuriel@kcstar.com
Big Slick Celebrity Weekend is here. A troupe of 59 celebrities, most of them known for their comedy chops, have descended on Kansas City to entertain, get in on some fun, and raise money for Children’s Mercy.
This is the 15th year for the event that has raised more than $20 million to help fund research at the Children’s Mercy Research Institute. This year’s list of celebrities is the biggest ever for the event. It includes home-grown celebrities and hosts Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle, Heidi Gardner, David Koechner and Eric Stonestreet.
The weekend’s activities started off Friday morning with a celebrity-packed news conference at Children’s Mercy along with the farcical game show that followed called “Friendly Feud”. By Friday afternoon the hilarity spilled onto the field at Kauffman Stadium where the Big Slick celebrities played softball in front of the crowd gathering to watch the Royals host the San Diego Padres. As in years past, the rules of softball quickly flew out the window and the players leaned on what they knew best, putting on a show and being funny.
The main event, the Big Slick Party & Show happens Saturday night at 8 p.m. at T-Mobile Center.
Here are photos from Friday’s events.
Actor Gaten Matarazzo takes a swing during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Comedian Al Yankovic gets low to the ground while waiting for a pitch during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Actress Sarah Tiana, left, gets a high-five from actor James Austin Johnson after making a catch during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Actor Jason Sudeikis takes a swing during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Singer Sheryl Crow runs to first base during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Actor Eric Stonestreet takes a swing during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer runs to first base while actor Eric Stonestreet bats during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Actor Bob Riggle makes it to second base during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Actor Will Forte takes a swing during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Actor Paul Rudd runs to home plate while Kansas City Royals mascot Sluggerrr attempts to field the ball during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Actress Ego Nwodium takes a swing during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Actress Heidi Gardner hoists a trophy after winning the softball tournament during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Celebrities that played in the Big Slick celebrity softball game pose for a photo during the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Celebrity guests play Friendly Feud during the Big Slick Press Conference on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Research Institute. HG Biggs hbiggs@kcstar.com
Rob Riggle celebrates a correct answer during a round of Friendly Feud at the Big Slick Press Conference on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Research Institute. HG Biggs hbiggs@kcstar.com
Joe Gatto slides on the floor in celebration of a correct answer during a round of Friendly Feud at the Big Slick Press Conference on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Research Institute. HG Biggs hbiggs@kcstar.com
Paul Rudd’s team huddles to discuss answers during a round of Friendly Feud at the Big Slick Press Conference on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Research Institute. HG Biggs hbiggs@kcstar.com
Paul Rudd’s team reacts to Gaten Matarazzo answering “water” for the question “name something hot” during a round of Friendly Feud at the Big Slick Press Conference on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Research Institute. HG Biggs hbiggs@kcstar.com
Joe Gatto celebrates a correct answer during a round of Friendly Feud at the Big Slick Press Conference on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Research Institute. HG Biggs hbiggs@kcstar.com
Gaten Matarazzo watches fellow guests compete in rounds of Friendly Feud during the Big Slick Press Conference on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Research Institute. HG Biggs hbiggs@kcstar.com
This story was originally published May 31, 2024, 11:14 PM.
