GOING DEEP
Big names bring big energy to Houston for Travis Scott’s charity softball game
Feb 3, 2025, 1:32 pm
GOING DEEP
Travis Scott will be in the swing of things this month (sorry). That’s when the third annual Cactus Jack Foundation Softball Classic and Home Run Derby happens, over at Daikin Park on Wednesday, February 13.
Yes, La Flame is once again doing his version of MTV’s Rock N’ Jock Softball Challenge (Gen Z, ask your parents!), rounding up celebrities and sports icons for a softball free-for-all for a good cause. Ticket proceeds will benefit the Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to HBCU seniors for final tuition fees and allows those students to graduate and receive their college diplomas. Scott’s Cactus Jack Foundation and the Webster Family will also host a HBCU Student Scholar Ceremony, in honor of Scott’s late grandfather Waymon Webster and his family’s multigenerational HBCU lineage.
Last year, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took the MVP Award from the Classic, while veteran second baseman Robinson Canó beat out power-hitting royalty Jose Canseco to win the Home Run Derby. Stroud, Canó, and Canseco will be back this year, along with fellow baseball legends Barry Bonds, Reggie Jackson, Jeff Bagwell, Manny Ramirez, Prince Fielder, and Ryan Howard.
A big guest list of stars are scheduled to appear. We’re talking Scott, Teyana Taylor, Metro Boomin, Ne-Yo, Scarface, Amber Rose, Sydney Thomas, Emmitt Smith, Warren Moon, Terrell Owens, Carl Lewis, Michael Vick, Jalen Ramsey, Johnny Manziel, and many more.
The three-day, in-stadium event (the Cactus Jack Foundation Community Action Week, featuring community-based events around Houston, will kick things off on Tuesday, February 11) will also feature exclusive Cactus Jack merchandise, giveaways, autographed memorabilia, prizes, and raffles, along with the Second Annual Cactus Jack Social Impact Village. This interactive hub will host over 20 community and civic organizations, offering on-site resources for event guests. Additionally, the village will include a silent auction with music and sports memorabilia.
Gates will open at 5:30 pm, with the Home Run Derby set for 7 pm and the Celebrity Softball Classic will begin at 7:30 pm. For tickets, go here.
*Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!
Jeremy Peña and Christian Walker each hit a three-run homer, and the Houston Astros outslugged the Baltimore Orioles 10-7 on Friday night.
A little something to make your day better pic.twitter.com/whwYikHwx2
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 22, 2025
Colton Cowser went deep for Baltimore, but the Orioles couldn’t pull this game out despite twice cutting a four-run deficit to one.
Steven Okert (2-2) got the win in relief for Houston, and the Astros — who are without injured closer Josh Hader and lefty reliever Bennett Sousa — held on. Houston signed veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel and he was with the team, but the AL West-leading Astros didn’t use him. Bryan Abreu struck out four to end the game and get his second save.
Rookie catcher Samuel Basallo, who agreed to an eight-year, $67 million contract before the game, did not start for the Orioles, but entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh and tagged out a runner at the plate the following inning.
Peña’s drive to left capped a four-run third that included two Baltimore errors. Jeremiah Jackson’s two-run double made it 4-3 in the fourth, but after Orioles starter Cade Povich (2-7) was pulled with two outs in the fifth, Yennier Cano came on and immediately gave up Walker’s homer.
The Orioles trailed 7-6 after Cowser’s solo shot in the seventh, but pinch-hitter Victor Caratini’s two-run double in the eighth made it a three-run game, and Peña’s comebacker bounced off reliever Corbin Martin and into shallow right-center field for an RBI double.
Orioles infielder Vimael Machín hit a solo homer in the eighth in his first big league plate appearance since 2022.
Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr. allowed three runs in four innings after coming off the injured list (right finger blister).
Jackson nearly made a diving catch on Caratini’s hit with two outs in the eighth, but once the ball got past him in right, two runs scored to make it 9-6.
Adding some insurance! pic.twitter.com/wKoPuHmenr
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 23, 2025
The Astros improved to 15-8 in games in which their opponent starts a left-handed pitcher.
Cristian Javier (1-1) starts for Houston on Saturday night against Dean Kremer (9-9) of the Orioles.