Skip Schumaker Spearheads Fantasy Football Challenge Schu's Crew Fundraiser To Support Local And Global Charities

Skip Schumaker is hosting a fantasy football challenge that will include 9 teams captained by Cincinnati Reds players.

The fundraiser will be held Wednesday, August 27 in Great American Ball Park's Champions Club from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will give fans the opportunity to team up with Schumaker or teammates Jay Bruce, Devin Mesoraco, Todd Frazier, Zack Cozart, Jonathan Broxton, Sean Marshall, Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey.

Proceeds will benefit Big League Impact (www.bigleagueimpact.org), Jessie Rees Foundation (www.negu.org), Reds Community Fund (www.reds.com/community) and Cincinnati Children's (www.cincinnatichildrens.org).

Participants will receive a tour of the ballpark and Reds Hall of Fame, lunch, the draft, an autograph signing by a Reds Hall of Famer, a batting practice viewing and tickets to that night's 7:10 p.m. game vs the Chicago Cubs. The entry fee is $2,500 per person and $1,000 for a co-owner. Fans can register at www.bigleagueimpact.org.

Schumaker is one of 10 Major League players serving as hosts, along with Atl's Freddie Freeman, Phi's Cole Hamels, SF's Tim Hudson, LAD's Clayton Kershaw, Cle's Justin Masterson, Det's Max Scherzer, StL's Adam Wainwright, Pit's Neil Walker and NYM's David Wright. More than 60 players will participate, including more than a dozen 2014 All-Stars.

"It's a great opportunity for our local fans to show their love for the Reds and fantasy football while supporting four great charitable causes," Schumaker said. "What was supposed to be a one-time event last year drew such overwhelming support that we are asking players on other teams to help do more for people in need."

Big League Impact raises money for local and global charities through contributions from participants in the fantasy football leagues. Proceeds will support non-profit organizations selected by the players with an emphasis on the local communities where they play. Big League Impact also will direct 25 percent of the net proceeds from all of its 2014 events toward a transformative international project that will bring multiple charity organizations together to provide basic needs such as food, water and shelter to a community in need.