Celebs practice in advance of Saturday’s Reebok Heroes Baseball Game in Frisco (photo gallery)

by Erin Rice

On the eve of the Seventh Annual Reebok Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game, a number of local celebrities/athletes showed up at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco to get a few swings in.

Despite an 11 a.m. practice start time, most of the notables didn't show until closer to noon, when the sun really started to beat down on the field. Among those who came for a little last minute training were Mike Modano, Brenden Morrow, Dario Sala, Ben Grieve, Samuel Page, Joe Trahan, and the two team managers, Wade Boggs and Fred Lynn.

Erin Rice

The Mike Modano foundation is one of the children's charities benefited by tomorrow's celebrity game. Modano immediately jumped into the outfield to field balls, before moving over to some of the young Heroes players to shoot the breeze. When asked why this event would be baseball, given that his bread and butter is of course cricket, Modano responded, "There's a little baseball in all of us." From there, the man of the hour stepped up to the plate and showed his years of celeb baseball experience with several spot-on hits down the first base line.

Erin Rice

Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow roamed all around the stadium before heading down to the field. Looking comfortable despite the badly chosen black shirt on a very hot day, Morrow may step into his swing a little too much, but worked it out to get a few good hits in. He doesn't, however, look both ways when crossing the street.

Erin Rice

Despite a heated game the night before in Houston, when given the day off by new coach Schellas Hyndman, Dario Sala decided to get in some batting practice... for the first time in his life. The FC Dallas goalkeeper, born and raised in Argentina, has never played baseball before. When asked if he was nervous about tomorrow's celebrity game, he responded in the affirmative: "To play in front of all those people and professional baseball players, it's hard. You have to take it seriously because you don't want to be the player everyone else makes fun of."

Erin Rice

Sam Page plays the character Casey Woodland in the CBS television series Shark. While not the best hitter in the group, he did manage to fill his mouth to excess with what appeared to be non-tobacco sunflower seeds (sunflower seeds not pictured).

Erin Rice

WFAA Channel 8 sports anchor Joe Trahan is playing for the Black Socks in the celebrity challenge. While interviewing Wade Boggs and Fred Lynn, he was trying to expose some pre-game trades that might have hurt his team's chances. Perhaps Trahan should stop his bellyaching and just play ball. That's right.

Erin Rice

Fred Lynn was a nine-time All-Star responsible for the only grand slam ever hit in a MLB All-Star game, American League Rookie of the Year, and MVP in 1975. When asked what advice he would give to his team's players, Lynn responded, "Don't get hurt." I think what he meant to say was, "Don't make a fool of yourself in front of a couple thousand people." Either way, valid advice.

Erin Rice

Wade Boggs is a former third baseman for the Boston Red Sox, has 12 All-Star appearances, and is the owner of a killer red mustache. When asked about his thoughts on the upcoming game, Boggs replied, "I didn't come here to lose. I'm sure not going to lose to Freddy Lynn."

Erin Rice

Quincy is one of the Little Heroes baseball team players. He dove around the field all day from his short stop position catching hits during batting practice. In this photo he was just asked who on the field was the best baseball player. His response: "Me." Quincy, young sir, you are truly my hero.

The Reebok Celebrity Baseball game Saturday night will feature several more celebrities and athletes including Mark Cuban (Mavs owner), Michael Irvin (former Cowboys), Jason Terry (Mavs), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Mike Ribiero (Stars), Bryan Greenberg (October Road), George Stults (Seventh Heaven), Geoff Stults (October Road), Donnie Nelson (Mavs President) and Kevin Kiley (ESPN Radio host).

Saturday boasts a number of activities including a tailgating party sponsored by ESPN Radio at 2 p.m. in the Dr. Pepper Ballpark parking lot. At 4 p.m., the celebs and former MLB heavy-hitters will try their hand at the Home Run Derby, to be followed at 6 p.m. by the celebrity baseball game.

Tickets range from $5 to $15 and can be purchased from Ticketmaster.com or at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark box office. Proceeds from the game benefit the Heroes Foundation YOUniversity Program and The Mike Modano Foundation. For more information on the event, please visit heroesbaseball.org.