Softball Game at Trustmark Park Hits Home Run for Mustard Seed

Gov. Phil Bryant’s Phillies will battle the Media Giants in an August 23 softball game at Trustmark Park to benefit Mustard Seed.

The first annual Home Run for Mustard Seed will help a Christian non-profit in Rankin County that serves adults with developmental disabilities. Proceeds from the event will go to the group’s current expansion project assisting men and women. The game begins at 5 p.m. that Thursday.

So far, the initial event is proving to be a winner. The softball game’s leading sponsor, AT&T, recently contributed $5,000 to boost Mustard Seed.

“This game is also a great way for Gov. Bryant and his team, plus media and public relations professionals to spread the news about a good cause,” says Andy Kanengiser, the event organizer and university news coordinator at Mississippi College. “It promises to be a fun evening at the home of the Mississippi Braves.”

Following the 90-minute softball game, the M-Braves will take the field at 7 p.m. against their Southern League rivals, the Huntsville Stars.

Home Run for Mustard is loaded with Mississippi College connections. Governor Bryant is an MC graduate and former political science instructor on the Clinton campus.

Quite a few Mustard Seed employees are Mississippi College alumni. They include director of activities Elizabeth Adams Gammill, and day program instructors Callie Bullock Shi and Charlie Floyd. Others are director of operations Jennifer Marlar Floyd and Joshua Zerbe, the facilities director.

“We are getting excited,” says Del Harrington, Mustard Seed’s director of community relations.

Last year, Phil’s Phillies defeated the Media Giants in a 30 to 7 blowout that sounded more like a football score.  In recent years, the event at Trustmark Park was known as Batter Up for Stewpot to help the non-profit in Jackson serve meals to the needy. But this summer’s softball game goes to bat for Mustard Seed.

For more information, contact Andy Kanengiser at 601.925.7760 or kanengis@mc.edu. Del Harrington of Mustard Seed can be reached at 601.992.3556 or go to www.mustardseedinc.org.