Organizer Andy Bhatti was looking tired, but happy, as he stepped off the ball field after taking a turn in the ‘Pros versus Joes’ home run derby on Sunday, Sept. 10 at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley.
Asked if he would take another crack at bat, he laughed and shook his head.
“I’m too old,” Bhatti grinned.
It was part of a free event to rise awareness about mental health, trauma, and addiction issues organized by Bhatti, an addictions expert and interventionist.
“Most people came here to actually learn about mental health and trauma,” Bhatti told the Langley Advance Times. “It’s not the biggest, but it’s a really good crowd.”
Pros versus Joes home run derby at McLeod Park saw celebrities turn out to raise awareness about mental illness pic.twitter.com/1kOXYNSUpr
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 11, 2023
Mental health specialists were available to speak to families for free at the event information booths.
“I’m a survivor of sexual abuse,” Bhatti explained.
“I’ve been clean for 17 years [as of] September 27. My goal is to help raise awareness on mental health and trauma. I help families get to the best treatment center possible where we can help loved ones not to live in pain anymore.”
READ ALSO: ‘Pros versus Joes’ is a home run derby with a serious purpose
Featuring celebrity hitters, as well as performances after the derby by country music stars Dallas Smith of Langley and Shawn Austin of Vancouver, the event was open to anyone, with a focus on family and friends who have a loved one who struggles with addiction or mental health.
Country star Dallas Smith performed at the Pros versus Joes home run derby at McLeod Park to raise awareness about mental illness pic.twitter.com/zFVgITfEVg
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 11, 2023
Smith has appeared at the Langley event before, when it was virtual, in 2021.
He is founder of the Dallas Smith Charitable Organization, set up in 2020, to raise funds and support towards destigmatizing mental health issues, and assisting local organizations to offer and provide assistance to those in need.
Country stars Dallas Smith and Shawn Austin performed at the Pros versus Joes home run derby at McLeod Park to raise awareness about mental illness pic.twitter.com/aNOMm7oP1M
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 10, 2023
Participants in the softball home run derby against local players included two-time World Series champion Jonny Gomes, Vancouver Canucks alumni Kirk McLean, actor Aleks Paunovic, and mixed martial arts champion and stunt actor Jason “Dooms” Day.
It was won by Jay Smeets, an RCMP officer, hitting on behalf of Sunshine Coast Health Centre.
The Centre, along with the Healing Institute, and Addiction Rehab Toronto each gave away free two-month treatment beds worth $60,000 each to people who would normally not be able to afford a stay in the rehab centres, Bhatti estimated.
All celebrities were signing autographs for cash donations that will go directly to the Nate D Foundation to help raise funds to help individuals with counselling and treatment and provide mental health services to them and their families.
Named after Langley’s Nathan (Nate) Daniel, who died in 2021, the foundation has, so far, sponsored six individuals to attend trauma therapy treatment in Thailand and also arranged to have several others attend counselling locally.
READ ALSO: Dealing with his demons
