#Artists & Writers charity softball game canceled due to COVID-19

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Bill Clinton at last year’s Artists & Writers charity softball game.
John Roca

The annual Artists & Writers charity softball game that would have been held at historic Herrick Park in East Hampton on Saturday has been canceled due to the coronavirus.

In its place will be a virtual fundraising contest kicked off between the Writers — coached by the New Yorker’s Ken Auletta and author Mike Lupica — and the Artists long-time manager Leif Hope. The money raised, which tends to soar into the high five figures, will go to East End charities.

The contest had each group setting up dueling GoFundMe Web sites. The “team” which raises the most money this year is automatically the home team in next year’s contest.

“The Artists & Writers Game has always been about more than just softball,” said Hope. We all need to show up. Unfortunately this year, not with our bats, gloves, beach chairs and blankets, but as we always have, with our hearts.”