The Texans took to the field of a different sort Thursday as 11 players took part in batting practice at Minute Maid Park. While the players had a blast, the biggest winners were the members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
The Texans teamed-up again this year with Reliant Energy to raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs. For every home run hit Thursday, Reliant donated $250 through the Reliant Energy PowerBlast Program.
Players who took part Thursday were Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, Sage Rosenfels, DeMeco Ryans, Chester Pitts, Bryan Pittman, C.C. Brown, Jeb Putzier, Mark Bruener, Travis Johnson, Dexter McCleon and Kris Brown.
Not to worry, none will be quitting their day jobs. The Texans raised $2,750 Thursday courtesy of 11 homeruns, but they had a little help.
Each player was given 20 outs, or more specifically, two turns of 10 outs to try to crack at least one long ball. Only three Texans managed to find the bleachers.
Rosenfels and Brown tied for homerun crown with two apiece and Schaub chipped in one, but the rest of the Texans were shut out.
{QUOTE} The other six homeruns came courtesy of Astros rookie centerfielder Hunter Pence, who volunteered to help out the cause after watching the Texans struggle for nearly an hour.
Pence sent two bombs over the railroad tracks in left field, hitting six with just one turn of 10 outs. Pitts was impressed, but wondered if he would have the same success on Sunday's.
"I'd like to see him go over the middle," Pitts said. "But seriously, hitting a baseball is truthfully the hardest thing you can do in sports. Obviously, I can't do it very well."
Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson teased the Crawford Boxes a couple of times, but still managed a goose egg like most of his teammates.
Over 300 members of the Boys and Girls club were on hand to watch the Texans take their hacks and all of them left the park with a smile on their face Thursday.
