A charitable rivalry?

Robert Philpot will try to create one Monday at Franklin Field.

The commissioner of the Butler Area Restaurant Softball League has hand-picked an all-star team from his league to take on East Coast upper-division men's champion Kelly Chevrolet at 5:30 p.m. in a charity game. All proceeds go to the battle against multiple sclerosis.

"Two of my three sisters have MS," Philpot said. "When a couple of members of Kelly's team approached me last year about playing, I was a little hesitant at first.

"Those guys are really big and really good. I didn't want them to embarrass us on the field and walk away laughing, so I said if we're gonna do it, we're gonna do it for charity.

"Because my sisters have MS, that was the first charity to come to mind," Philpot added.

The crowd at last year's game was limited by rain when Kelly's walked away with an overwhelming victory and Philpot took a financial loss on the event.

He's determined to make amends on both counts this year.

"They beat us something like 41-4," he said. "But I learned from last year how to beat them. I put together a different type of team this year.

"It's still a charity game, but our guys have pride, too. We don't want to be embarrassed. Our goal is to win. We want to show we can play with these guys and turn the game into a healthy rivalry."

Philpot said his team consists of players with plenty of speed who hit the ball hard.

"Our entire league played 90 games this year and hit maybe six home runs," Philpot said. "Kelly's hits that many home runs in an inning.

"When they're batting, they'll be looking to hit the ball over the fence. When we're batting, we have guys who can hit to the gaps and get to third base in a matter of seconds. It will be two contrasting styles to watch."

Money will be raised through donations, a 50-50 raffle, an auction and the concession stand at Franklin Field. About $2,000 was raised at last year's game.

Prior to the 5:30 p.m. game, there will be a Restaurant League All-Star Game at 2 p.m.

"Our players in that game each donated $5 to play," Philpot said. "Our players in the game against Kelly's donated $10 each."

Kelly's donated $5 for each home run it hit in last year's game.

"We hit about 28 home runs last year," Kelly's player Frank Hawryliak said. "I know they're going to try to wear us down with their speed this year, and, frankly, that's a pretty good strategy.

"We'll see what happens."

Among the prizes available at Monday's games are golf packages, restaurant gift certificates and health spa packages.

Philpot has solicited many area businesses for prize donations. Proceeds will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Club of Butler.

Donations are still being accepted. Call Philpot at 724-234-4307.

"No matter how the game turns out, the fight against MS wins and that's what is important," Philpot said. "But it should be quite a show.

"Hopefully, it will become an annual rivalry."