Jordin Sparks and the National League defeated Nick Jonas and the American League at the Taco Bell Legends and Celebrity Softball Game, which airs July 11 on ESPN. ‘Glee’ actor Chord Overstreet and country singer Jason Aldean also played. (Happened July 10, Airs July 11)

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(Nick, You don’t wear another team’s hat in another team’s territory especially at a game like this. Haha. That’s why you get booed.)

July 10, 2011
By Matt Swartz
FOXSportsArizona.com

Not too many people — fans, officials or even players — take the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game very seriously. It’s more of an entertainment aspect of All-Star week, a sort of transition between the all-for-fans FanFest at the Phoenix Convention Center and the official MLB events at Chase Field, including the Home Run Derby on Monday and the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday.

And Sunday evening’s game, which was won by the National League team 5-3, was perfect in that regard — it entertained, with a mix of the amusing, the dramatic and the . . . well, entertaining.

Given the purpose and non-serious nature of the celebrity-laden event, the story of the game is less important than the superlatives from within it. So with that in mind, we present the good, the bad, the ugly and everything else you need to know about the 2011 All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game.

And in honor of the typical awards show, we’ll go in order of importance, with the more meaningful or game-impacting events saved for the end (for drama’s sake).

Best-prepared player: Larry Fitzgerald. After allegedly “embarrassing” himself in a batting-practice cameo with the Diamondbacks about a month ago, the all-world wide receiver said Sunday: “I went to the batting cages before this — I had to get myself prepared.”

Most introductory boos: Nick Jonas. The reasons weren’t entirely clear, although the prominent Yankees cap didn’t help the heartthrob singer’s cause among Diamondbacks fans.

Biggest introductory cheer: Luis Gonzalez. Who else? The hero of the Diamondbacks’ 2001 World Series victory, Gonzo barely edged out Fitzgerald (local fans had plenty of cheers stored up for him after seven months without football) and fellow D-backs legend Mark Grace.

Most out-of-town support: Ozzie Smith got an introduction ovation that wasn’t far behind those of Gonzo, Fitz and Gracie, and his play in the field showed he hasn’t lost a whole lot since his days roaming the infield in St. Louis. Cubs legend Ernie Banks had plenty of fans of his own, no surprise given the local contingent of Cubbies fanatics.

Most nervous player: Jordin Sparks. The Glendale native and American Idol winner put on a good show for the crowd and didn’t show any symptoms during the game, but she admitted that stepping onto a softball field in front of roughly 30,000 people isn’t the easiest thing to do, even if she’s done it hundreds of times as a singer. “It’s a lot more nerve-wracking,” Sparks said of softball. “You just give me a microphone to sing and I’m fine. Playing a sport is different.”

Most oohs and ahhs: Jennie Finch. Despite the long odds facing anyone who dares to challenge ESPN icon Erin Andrews, Finch — an Olympian pitcher and University of Arizona product who recently gave birth to her second child — was clearly a hit with the hometown guys.

Longest introduction: Mike Piazza. It started with “Despite being a 62nd-round draft pick” and ended roughly 3 minutes later with even Piazza rolling his hand over to signal the PA announcer to speed up the process. When even the player is blushing over the length of his preceding announcement, you know it’s gone a little long.

Most accurate playing-days reenactment: Rickey Henderson. The all-time leader in leadoff home runs (as well as stolen bases, walks and a handful of other stats) led off the game by taking a pitch very deep over the wall in left field to give the AL team a 1-0 lead.

Best defensive play: Chord Overstreet. The star of FOX hit “Glee” showed up everybody by ranging from center field to making a headfirst diving catch in left-center, then throwing all to first base to catch Bernie Williams too far off the base for a double play. It was probably the best defensive play all day — including the Futures Game beforehand.

Best defensive play by a former major leaguer: Gonzalez. Gonzo knows his way around left field at Chase, and he wasn’t afraid to show it Sunday, ranging to the fence down the left-field line and taking a home run away from Rollie Fingers in the first inning.

Worst estimation of distance: Overstreet. He made up for his spectacular play with an embarrassing one, airmailing a throw from center field roughly 30 feet over the catcher’s head — nearly all the way to the backstop on the fly — in the first inning.

Player who took things the most seriously: Jonas earns his second award of the night for half-diving for a grounder, taking a full turn at first base after a single, pump-faking toward a baserunner, etc.

Best surprise appearance: Matt Williams. With buddies Gonzalez and Grace already on the field, the D-backs former third baseman and current third-base coach popped in for a cameo in the second inning and promptly singled between short and third.

Best improvisation: The NL team, which brought out a soccer ball for former US National Team star Carlos Bocanegra for an impromptu game of kickball, then lined up in a “wall” at the pitcher’s mound in an attempt to defend his kick. Bocanegra popped up to short, but Smith apparently failed to account for the weight of the soccer ball and couldn’t hold on.

Best effort: Fred Lynn. The longtime Red Sox outfielder went for a full-extension diving grab in right-center field in the fourth inning . . . but came up without the ball and with a face full of Chase Field grass.

Most disappointing misplay: Grace. The NL team nearly turned a double play — a tough task given the shortened distance between bases — in the third inning, but Gracie was unable to scoop the throw from second, something he was an expert at in his days with the Cubs and D-backs. A close runner-up was Smith, who dropped a run-of-the-mill pop-up that would have ended the game; he made up for it by fielding a hard-hit grounder on the very next pitch and completing the force at second.

Best fashion statement: Kate Upton. Finch might have gotten the most oohs and ahhs from the guys in the crowd, but Upton’s combo of short shorts and knee-high socks made her at-bats must-see TV. The Sports Illustrated swimsuit model might have even (temporarily) made them forget about the other Upton — the one actually representing the D-backs in the All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Best moment: Gonzalez. The introductory cheer was just a precursor, as the former D-backs left fielder brought the crowd to its feet with a home run to right field — just past the outstretched glove of Lynn — in the fourth inning. It didn’t have quite the impressive length of some of Gonzo’s playing-days homers, but it gave the hometown crowd something to cheer about all the same.

Funniest moment: Finch throwing a heater (in relative terms) behind Jonas, who had drawn his usual chorus of boos just moments earlier. Both coaches were warned to try to keep the beanballs from getting out of hand, a real concern in a slow-pitch celebrity softball game.

Most Valuable Player: This is an objective choice since Taco Bell actually handed out an award, but Gonzalez rightfully went home with the hardware, a fitting tribute to this week’s All-Star ambassador.

Best ending: Gonzalez. With the postgame Home Run Challenge tied at 2-2 (following at-bats by Jonas, James Denton and Henderson) and down to its final batter, Gonzo ended things in style, sending the longest bomb of the night to straightaway right field for a walk-off finish.

Tags: Luis Gonzalez, All-Star Game, Chase Field, Legends and Celebrity Softball Game

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By Mark Newman / MLB.com | 07/11/11 12:26 AM ET

PHOENIX — Luis Gonzalez put the finishing touches on a Taco Bell All-Star Sunday that was as good as he had imagined, and maybe even better.

The D-backs legend, serving as All-Star Ambassador for the host club this week, smacked a solo home run to right — just out of the reach of a leaping Fred Lynn — to help seal the deal for the National League in a 5-3 victory over the American League in the Taco Bell Legends & Celebrities Softball Game at Chase Field.

Then the familiar No. 20 put the exclamation mark on the whole day with another shot over the fence in a Home Run Challenge that is now a new tradition at the end of that game.

It all followed up that dramatic U.S. victory over the World team (managed by Gonzalez) in the XM All-Stars Futures Game. Arizona, you are off and running.

“We’ve been preparing for this for a while, and I think our organization and the city and the state has been very excited for this, and you could tell by the fan reaction here today,” Gonzalez said. “Today was the kick-off party, and then comes the State Farm Home Run Derby, which will be exciting, and then it goes right into the All-Star Game.”

The softball game is all about fun and lasting memories, and that is exactly what was delivered. Just ask Jordin Sparks, the 2007 “American Idol” winner from Glendale, Ariz., who gave her friend, Nick Jonas, a rather just dessert by helping the NL win.

It turns out that Jonas — a Yankees fan and rabid ballplayer who wore No. 2 in tribute of Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit — had declined Sparks’ plea to join the Jonas Brothers’ Road Dogs baseball team when all of them were touring recently.

“We’re really good friends. He is so serious and so competitive,” Sparks said. “At first, for me when we do things like this, it’s all fun and games until we start playing. Then I get competitive. But I’m like, ‘What am I doing? That was horrible. Jordin, why didn’t you hit the ball? Why didn’t you wait?’

“But when I was touring with him, I was like, ‘Can I play?’ He was like, ‘No.’ I said, ‘OK, I’ll go somewhere else.’ This was nice. I’m really glad we beat his team.”

Then came a big smile. You will see that smile again soon, because Sparks is going to sing the national anthem before the 82nd All-Star Game on Tuesday night on FOX.

ESPN reporter Erin Andrews (AL) and Jamie Denton from Desperate Housewives (NL) managed rosters this time, and as expected, it was a ball doing it.

“I have really just grown up,” Andrews joked.

“I get to manage Ozzie Smith and Steve Garvey,” Denton said. “It’s tough, because I’ve got Mark Grace and Steve Garvey. One of the guys doing the programming said, ‘Well, just start Grace, because it’s Phoenix, and bench Garvey.’ I’m like, ‘Are you telling me to bench Steve Garvey? That’s what I’m supposed to do?’ Welcome to managing, right? No thanks.”

One of the biggest ovations was reserved for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who, as a baseball player, is a great football player. Asked how he is coping with the current NFL lockout, Fitzgerald said has no plans to take up baseball.

“We’re doing fine,” he said. “We’re just biding our time, waiting for things to clear up. We’re optimistic things are going to be resolved here in the next couple of weeks and get back to work.”

There were highlights galore in this game. “Glee” actor Chord Overstreet made the play of the game, diving and tumbling to catch a Rickey Henderson liner — and then coming up to throw to first to double up “Extra” reporter A.J. Calloway.

“I use to play travel baseball a lot,” Overstreet said. “I ruptured my ACL my senior year of football, and I came back and I didn’t get to throw or hit until the week before the season. First game I came back, the first swing I took, I hit a bomb over 360. Then I didn’t hit hardly anything the rest of the season, but that’s one of my fond memories.

“It’s so fun. I’m a huge fan of all these guys, Hall of Famers and legends. Being on the same field is just an honor. I’m so blessed to be doing this.”

One of the players on the AL team was Chris Pratt, an actor who plays the part of former A’s player Scott Hatteberg in the upcoming movie “Moneyball,” an adaptation of the bestselling book about A’s general manager Billy Beane and his transformative system of sabermetric management. This was a glimpse of a face baseball fans are likely to get to know more when that movie hits box offices.

“Unlike a lot of other movies that have baseball, this is not necessarily a baseball movie, it’s a character piece about Billy Beane as a GM,” Pratt explained. “What’s nice about this movie is that the director stayed really authentic to the sport, by casting primarily all ex-pros and guys from farm leagues. They’re really throwing the ball and really hitting the ball. You’ve got guys hitting 90-mph fastballs on camera. These guys are players, they’re not actors. Other than myself. Stephen Bishop, who plays David Justice as an extra, used to play in the pros as well.

“You’re going to see Royce Clayton playing Miguel Tejada, which is kind of funny. It shows you a different side of baseball. You get to see it from the GM’s perspective, which is something you don’t really see a lot of. The people who like sabermetrics, the Bill James guys. It at least created a conversation that is pretty heated on both sides, whether you agree or disagree with it.”

Jennie Finch, always the center of attention in this annual event, threw a signature windmill heater … behind the back of Jonas.

Carlos Bocanegra, captain of the U.S. men’s soccer team, went up for his first at-bat on the AL squad and Mike Piazza had placed a soccer ball in front of home plate. Then Finch ordered the whole NL team to come in, and together they all formed a free-shot wall.

“I told them they better be wearing cups,” Bocanegra said later. “That was a funny gesture. I knew they were going to do something.”

Finch then sent all the fielders back to their positions, and then pitched the soccer ball to Bocanegra. He kicked it high in the air to Smith at short. Then Bocanegra singled to left on a real pitch.

“It’s awesome,” said Finch, the University of Arizona alum who had a three-week old son “chillin’” back at the hotel. It was a home crowd for her.

“This is our backyard,” she said, “and it’s great to be back in the Phoenix area and to be an All-Star again. I’m soaking up the atmosphere.”

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It has been said that Nick Jonas & The Administration is scheduled to perform in Argentina on October 1, 2011 at Stadium Geba. We currently have no further information about this event nor if this will actually happen. If anyone knows more details, please email us!

Who is Nick Jonas‘ #1 fan? His Australian girlfriend, Delta Goodrem.

The 26-year-old blonde beauty was spotted watching her Jonas Brothers boyfriend perform at an acoustic concert near Los Angeles on Friday, July 1. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, Nick performed in front of a large crowd at a park in Century City while his older girlfriend reportedly gave him “bedroom eyes” from her seat at the side of the stage.

Nick looked grown-up in a brown checkered blazer while his girlfriend looked cute in loads of vintage silver jewelry and loose, wavy hair. Hm, doesn’t Delta’s boho style look a lot like the signature style of one of Nick’s ex-girlfriends, Miley Cyrus? Maybe Nick just like the hipster type.

Also at the concert: Jasmine V, who opened for Nick. Jasmine and Nick are currently collaborating on songs, which seems fitting as they both come from the tweener world.

Even though Nick was happy to have his girlfriend watching him on stage, the singer had kind words for everyone who turned out for the afternoon gig. “So great to play today,” Nick tweeted after the concert. “Thanks to everyone that came out!”

Nick and Delta have been dating for several months. The pair met after Nick was brought on as a songwriter for Delta’s upcoming album.

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 3:53 PM on 2nd July 2011

Delta Goodrem had the look of love last night, as she watched her boyfriend Nick Jonas perform in a Los Angeles park.

The 18-year-old belted out some hits as he sang and played his guitar, while his 26-year-old girlfriend watched on admiringly.

The adorable show of affection was set in a park in Century City and Delta couldn’t stop giggling as she and Nick gave each other bedroom eyes from across the venue.

Nick performed in jeans and a brown checked blazer, while fellow singer Miss Goodrem looked elegant in a long navy blue dress.

Earlier in the day she was dressed down in black jeans and an oversized shirt as she headed to her local Starbucks.

The Australian former Neighbours star looked to be settling into LA life by popping out for an iced coffee at the coffee chain.

The previous day, Delta and Nick had a date in Downtown LA, where they had tickets to watch the musical Les Miserables at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

But as they enjoyed a pre-theatre meal with friends, their age gap proved a problem when Delta ordered a cocktail and poor under-age Nick had to sip on an iced tea instead.

The legal drinking age in the US is 21, so the couple will have to wait over two years before they can legally go out for an alcoholic beverage together.

But at least Delta will have a designated driver for the foreseeable future if she continues to date the younger man.

Earlier in the week the pair were spotted sharing a kiss and a hug as Delta arrived at Los Angeles International Airport.

Their romance came after Delta announced her split from former Westlife star Brian McFadden on April 1.

By the end of May, she and Nick were spotted holding hands and going for a bite to eat having just returned from a tropical holiday in Bali.

Her teenage lover has his own band Nick Jonas and the Administration, while Delta is famed for her hit singles such as Lost Without You and Innocent Eyes.

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He’s a gentleman, he don’t need to “HIT IT” already. And yes, we agree, Nick does a have a hot older girlfriend… DAMN!

Ashley had attended the Military event in Columbus, Ohio on April 14, 2011. Below she talks about what happened then it goes to a video of Nick performing.

As you may know, November is American Diabetes Month and November 14th is World Diabetes Day. Nick Jonas and Bayer Diabetes Care have partnered together to raise awareness about diabetes since 2008. Nick Jonas has been a great role model in many ways through his passion, talent, inspiration and determination. Nick Jonas is the National Chairman of JDRF’S Walk to Cure Diabetes. For more information about Nick’s partnership with Bayer and his experience with type 1 diabetes, please visit www.NickSimpleWins.com.  For information about Bayer Diabetes Care, visit www.SimpleWins.com. For more information about JDRF’s Walk To Cure, visit walk.jdrf.org. In celebration of Nick’s great work and trying to spread the word of diabetes around the world, we are giving away ONE signed “Who I Am” CD album, signed by Nick Jonas. As a bonus, we are also giving away ONE “Who I AM” Limited Edition CD/DVD from Target. NOTE: We received the records for no charge from Bayer Diabetes Care or JDRF.

Thank you for entering the contest! The contest is OFFICIALLY closed. Winners are announced below, this was picked at RANDOM using a website that generates numbers for me by first page then comment number on that page. Winners will be contacted via Facebook or by EMAIL, if they don’t respond back by 11/3/10 at 12pm PST someone else will win.

However, I wanted to point out that quickly that it’s sad to see a lot of people started commenting and/or visiting the site just for this contest. I can honestly tell which visitors are here often and not just to win a prize. It’s lovely to see real feedback on posts about updated/news made.

WINNER OF SIGNED CD COPY: Ruby Murphy Aliane

WINNER OF TARGET (NON-SIGNED) CD COPY: Katie Houser

Congratulations to the winners!

The Jonas Brothers Invite Houston Fans to Join ‘X the TXT’ Team
Press Release Source: Allstate Corporation On Tuesday September 7, 2010, 9:08 am EDT

LEAGUE CITY, Texas, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ — Allstate’s X the TXT social initiative is partnering with the Jonas Brothers’ “Road Dogs” softball tour to raise teen awareness about the dangers of texting while driving and to encourage young people and their families to pledge not to text and drive. The 12-city tour is headed to the Houston area where the Road Dogs will be playing ball in support of X the TXT. The game is on Saturday, Sept. 11, at League City, Tex., on Ebbett’s Field at Big League Dreams Sports Park where the Road Dogs will be taking on the Marquis Jet Flyers. All Road Dogs games are free and open to the public. Tickets are limited to each stadium’s capacity. The gates open at 11:00 a.m. and the game starts at 12:15 p.m.

Road Dogs started when the Jonas Brothers played recreational softball games while on tour in 2009. The games became very popular with fans after one of the brothers mentioned the games on a social media site. This year, they will be playing seven innings of softball at minor league stadiums throughout the country. At each venue they are working with Allstate to educate fans about the dangers of texting and driving.

During the game, fans can join the Jonas Brothers in pledging not to text and drive by adding their thumbprint – the symbol of their pledge – to a banner that will be traveling with the Road Dogs tour. Participants will receive “TXTNG KLLS” thumb bands to wear as a reminder of their commitment. Throughout the game, fans will also have the opportunity to win autographed t-shirts and other prizes.

“It is really important that our fans understand just how dangerous texting while driving is,” said Kevin Jonas. “Pledging not to text and drive is a promise to your friends, your family and yourself to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.”

Grammy®-nominated artist Jordin Sparks kicked off Allstate’s X the TXT last November with a 29-city national tour of live pledge events, a Facebook virtual pledge page, and a petition urging Congress to address the issue of texting while driving. Most recently, X the TXT events were held at each of Sparks’ 29 concerts during her Battlefield tour. In addition to Sparks, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, David Archuleta, Jason Derulo, Meredith Vieira, and more than 85,000 Americans have pledged not to text and drive.

The social initiative is part of Allstate’s broader efforts to make our roads safer, especially for young drivers.

“If you text while driving, you are 23 times more likely to crash. Our young drivers are especially susceptible to this risk due to the pressure to stay in constant contact with friends,” said Joan Walker, senior vice president of corporate relations at Allstate. “By encouraging teens to change this dangerous behavior, Allstate hopes to save young people’s lives.”

Texting is one of the most dangerous distractions facing drivers today, particularly among teens, of which car crashes are the number one killer. According to a recent Allstate Foundation study, 49 percent of driving teens admit to being extremely distracted by texting and instant messaging while driving. And, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports driver distraction contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.

Allstate hopes more people will join the cause in urging Congress to create stronger laws, not just to ban texting while driving, but to make young drivers safer drivers. One way to do this is through the enactment of the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act (H.R. 1895, S. 3269), which would require states to pass and enforce minimum standards for graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws. The STANDUP Act is currently awaiting Congressional approval.

To take the pledge not to text and drive or for more information about the tour, visit www.facebook.com/XtheTXT.

Full details about upcoming game:

Saturday, September 11

Big League Dreams Sports Park – Ebbett’s Field

1150 Big League Dreams Pkwy

League City, TX 77573 | (281) 316-3400

Gates open at 11:00 a.m.; Game starts at 12:15 p.m.

A full listing of game dates and locations follows:

August 6: Joliet, Ill.

August 13: New Britain, Conn.

August 19: Brooklyn, N.Y.

August 21: Islip, N.Y.

August 23: Newark, N.J.

August 26: Brockton, Mass.

August 27: Camden, N.J.

September 7: Jupiter, Fla.

September 11: Houston, Texas

September 12: Frisco, Texas

September 18: San Jose, Cal.

September 19: Irvine, Cal.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL – News) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

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Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers are getting ready to go back to camp–in style, of course! In preparation for Disney’s upcoming original movie, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam–premiering September 3–the film’s costume designer, Mona May, gave PEOPLE the inside scoop on Demi and the boys’ onscreen looks. “The Jonas Brothers have a certain look and they like to keep that look while blending it with the character and more casual outdoorsy feel for the setting of Camp Rock,” said Mona, who found fashion inspiration in iconic bands like the Rolling Stones and The Mamas & The Papas, to create the stars’ cool artsy look. And for the leading lady? “Demi Lovato wanted to use a lot of vintage and have a feel of very funky and classic 1960s rock influence,” revealed Mona. “She loves wearing dresses so we did that making sure that she can perform all the dance numbers.” We can’t wait to see Demi and the Jonas Brothers moving and shaking through Camp Rock 2 in their cool clothes! –Jessie Goldberg

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In case this wasn’t posted…

Credit: Maggie Wilson/PhotoLink

RAY BAND
Published: Monday Aug 30, 2010 | 02:00 PM EDT

Nick and Joe Jonas team up with brother Kevin (not pictured) on Saturday, rocking slick shades and preppy attire for Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day in celebration of the beginning of the U.S. Open tennis championship in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.

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