Pedro Martinez is coming to Montreal to strike out Lou Gehrig disease - The
famous ace pitcher will be part of the 5th Annual Celebrity Softball Game's
line-up in support of the ALS Society of Quebec

MONTREAL, June 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Marking its 5th anniversary, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Quebec's Celebrity Softball Game will welcome none other than former Montreal Expos ace pitcher and three time Cy-Young award winner PEDRO MARTINEZ, back for the first time to Montreal for the occasion. The game will take place on June 19 at 6:30 pm at Claude-Robillard Centre and will feature several celebrities from the sports, radio and television scenes.

Again this year, former Montreal Canadien Vincent Damphousse and his wife Allana, whose father died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig disease, will act as spokespersons. ALS is an insidious disease which will cause more deaths than muscular distrophy, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis all together. Up to this day, there has been no known cure for ALS.

Other than Vincent Damphousse and Pedro Martinez, this exciting game will bring together several sports celebrities such as former Montreal Expos outfielder Moises Alou, catcher Chris Widger, Derek Aucoin and Marc Griffin. Former Montreal Alouettes Gabriel Grégoire, Peter Dalla Riva, Pierre Vercheval, Ed Phillion and Bruno Heppell will also be part of the starting line-up. Race car driver Bertrand Godin, sports commentator Dave Morissette, Aaron Rand, Rick Moffat and Randy Tieman will also be on the game's roster. The famous centre player of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vincent Lecavalier will also join the club like former Montreal Expos pitcher, Denis Boucher, actor Carl Marotte, standup comic Joey Elias, popular radio jock Mitch Melnick and reporter Andie Bennett. All players will wear number No. 23 to honour and salute former Montreal Alouettes Tony Proudfoot who is batting ALS.

With its annual Celebrity Softball Game, the ALS seeks to increase awareness amongst the general public and the media for this deadly disease. Public involvement will help support the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Quebec and its mission aimed at providing support and services to close to 600 people suffering from the disease in Quebec.

Pre-game ceremonies will begin at 6:30 pm with the presentation of the starting line-ups. Game time is 7:00 pm.

Tickets are on sale through the Admission network. Tickets will also be available at the door, at Claude-Robillard Centre, and will sell for $20 for adults and $10 for children from 6 to 12 years old. Children 5 years old and under will be admitted for free.

VIP tickets giving access to the VIP cocktail with the celebrities are available at $100 each by calling 514-725-2653, ext. 105. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of people suffering from this disease and their family.

    
    RAINE OR SHINE!
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The ALS CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME will take place rain or shine! Fans can meet the celebrities, get autographs and take pictures post game.

    
    ALS AT A GLANCE...
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a rapidly progressing, neuromuscular illness that is always fatal, within 2 to 5 years. It is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the neurons controlling the motor muscles, gradually leading to total paralysis of the body while leaving the intellectual faculties untouched.

This release is sent as a courtesy by CNW Telbec.

For further information: Alexandre Dumas, JADCOM Média Conseil, 514-524-3606, 514-898-4636 (cellulaire), [email protected]; Contact: Claudine Cook, Executive director, ALS Society, 514-725-2653, [email protected]