Heath Evans charity softball April 28th

Heath Evans is hosting a charity softball game on Wednesday, April 28 at Zephyr Field, featuring more than a dozen of his teammates from the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

The inaugural Heath Evans Softball Showdown event features a Home Run Derby at 6:30 p.m., followed by a game between the Saints and an All-Star military team.

Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Jonathan Vilma and David Thomas are among the Saints expected to play.

The game is open to the public. Admission is $10 and tickets are available at the Zephyr Field box office and on Ticketmaster.com. Children ages 2 and under will be permitted to sit on their guardian's laps.

A raffle will also be held, with winners receiving one of three prizes: Heath Evans' 2008 Hummer Limited Edition H2, delivered to the winner by Heath Evans and Reggie Bush, the chance to help manage the Saints' softball team during the Heath Evans Softball Showdown, including access to the VIP autograph session and an autographed Saints jersey, or two tickets with pre-game field passes to the Saints' 2010 home opener (date to be determined), which includes two club-level tickets as well as lunch or dinner with Heath Evans at New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Company the week of the game, plus signed memorbilia from Evans.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the not-for-profit Heath Evans Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering hope and healing in the lives of children and families affected by sexual abuse.

"I'm proud that my teammates and friends will participate in the softball game," said Evans, the Saints' starting fullback who is almost fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered in the Oct. 25 game against the Miami Dolphins.

"It will be a fun game for the players and the fans, and we're raising money for a good cause, one that my wife, Beth Ann, and I strongly believe in. I'm hoping that we can hit the ball and run the bases without embarrassing ourselves!"

Evans hosted a similar charity softball game in February in Palm Beach County, where he grew up, and raised more than $100,000.

While Evans laughs about his teammates' softball abilities, he is very serious about the foundation that bears his name. Started in 2006 to help children who have been sexually abused, it's something Evans learned about firsthand because his wife was a victim of sexual abuse as a child.

"Being in the NFL gives me a platform to bring attention to a cause that doesn't receive a lot of attention," said Evans, who is entering his 10th NFL season and second with the Saints. "When people hear about it and learn more about it, hopefully they become motivated to help sexually abused children and their families."

Evans said the foundation provides access to a variety of programs, treatments and services in communities with great need and scarce resources, including New Orleans and West Palm Beach.

The softball game is another way to bring attention to this problem, and it's a big fundraiser for us," said Evans. "We're excited about joining with the Military All-Star team to host a wonderful family event for the entire community."