Lawyers hopeful diamond is better than court

~ The doctors look to transplant their winning ways to the softball field.

Either local lawyers are gluttons for punishment, or they have a plan that a change of sport will help them more than a change of venue.

The inaugural Doctors-Lawyers Softball Game will be played at 6 p.m. today at Field No. 10 in Arena Park.

The lawyers and doctors have met annually for 13 years in a basketball showdown to benefit the Community Counseling Center Foundation, which raises money for the not-for-profit mental health center. In March, when the basketball game was moved to Central High School, the doctors won for the fifth straight year to improve their series record to 11-2.

"I guess the lawyers were tired of getting beat up in basketball, so they wanted to try something new," said Larry Essner of the Community Counseling Center. "Maybe they think they have a better chance."

It couldn't hurt.

The lawyers were beaten 56-42 in the most recent basketball contest.

A tailgate party will take place before the game at 4:30 p.m. with food and drink. Activities before the game include a home-run hitting contest, a raffle and attendance prizes.

Tickets for the game are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12.

No rain date has been set, but Essner said, "It's going to be pretty, and it's going to be a lot of fun."