Preds Players Swing for the Fences at Smashville Showdown

Before a new NHL season gets underway, Predators players traded their hockey sticks for baseball bats in Monday night's Smashville Showdown at Hawkins Field.
The inaugural event benefiting the Nashville Predators Foundation Empowered by SmileDirectClub and the Vandy United Fund featured Nashville players and various Vanderbilt student-athletes participating in a home run derby and softball game at Hawkins Field, home of the Commodore baseball program.

Preds players Matt Duchene, Colton Sissons, Michael McCarron, Tanner Jeannot and Ryan McDonagh were among the participants in the home run derby before splitting into mixed Preds-Vanderbilt rosters (Team Smash and Team Ville) for a lively game of softball. Vanderbilt baseball's Calvin Hewett was the winner of the home run derby, while Team Ville won the softball game in dramatic fashion on a walk-off grand slam.
Predators broadcasters Chris Mason and Lyndsay Rowley and in-arena host Wayne D were also on hand at Hawkins Field, bringing fans closer to the action with on-field interviews during the event. Mason also donned a Vanderbilt baseball jersey and pitched for both teams in the softball game, a task that he approached with "full passion."

America's pastime may not have come naturally to the Preds players - many of whom are from outside the United States - but, like Mason, they attacked the game with "full passion."
"I'm from Switzerland," said new Predators winger Nino Niederreiter, a member of the champion Team Ville. "We don't have baseball. We did learn the rules in school, but that's about it. So it's definitely cool to be out here, and it's definitely a lot harder than it looks."
Some Preds players - like Jeannot - looked like naturals at the plate, while others - like Captain Roman Josi - should probably stick to hockey. Still, regardless of skill level, the event was a fun time for all involved.

"It was very humbling for me," Josi said with a chuckle. "It was fun. It was a good time. And it's so much fun seeing the Vanderbilt guys hit."
Players from the Nolensville Little League team - of 2022 Little League World Series fame - were also in attendance, shagging fly balls and making some impressive catches in the outfield during the home run derby before cheering on the Preds and the VandyBoys in the softball game.

Following the event, the Preds Foundation auctioned off game-worn items for charity. After a successful and fun-filled night, players from both Vanderbilt and the Preds seemed eager to participate in the event in years to come.
"I would love to do it again," Josi said. "That was just really fun to meet some of the VandyBoys, too. There's so many people that came out, and it's for a great cause."