CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox infielder Nicky Lopez and his wife, Sydney, will hold the first-ever 16-Inch Softball Charity Classic, presented by Guaranteed Rate, on Thursday, July 11 at 5 p.m. at Mount Greenwood Park on Chicago’s South Side.

Inspired by his personal connection to both the Chicago-style softball game and the cause, the Lopez family is introducing the inaugural Softball Charity Classic, which will feature a 16-team format and two-game guarantee for all participating teams. Platinum Team entries will have an opportunity to select a White Sox celebrity coach and secure home team advantage, while players on all registered teams will enjoy branded Charity Classic T-Shirts, food vouchers and complimentary tickets to an upcoming White Sox home game. Lopez also is scheduled to meet with each team, posing for a photo and extending a personal invite to the evening’s Postgame Party following the final out of the Championship game.

Registration for the tournament is available now, on a first come, first-served basis, at whitesox.com/softball.

“Once we knew I was heading back home, we immediately wanted to build something to give back,” said Lopez. “The Classic felt like the perfect way to combine a Chicago sport my family loves, while also raising support for two organizations that are close to me personally.”

Net proceeds from the Classic will benefit the Andrew Weishar Foundation, the Justin Wegner Foundation and Chicago White Sox Charities (CWSC) – organizations that aim to assist adolescents and young adults battling cancer. Lopez, a graduate of Naperville Central High School, has close ties to the local non-profit organizations, including their respective namesakes. Lopez played alongside the beloved Wegner in high school, and his brother was close to Andrew Weishar before he passed.

The tournament’s grand prize-winning team will be invited to take batting practice at Guaranteed Rate Field and enjoy a complimentary suite outing for a mutually agreed upon White Sox home game during the 2024 season. Second-place runners up will be awarded Patio Party passes and Gold Box tickets to a 2024 White Sox home game.

Emerging across Chicago playgrounds after members of the Farragut Boat Club fashioned a make-shift softball from a pair of boxing gloves in 1887, 16-inch softball has a storied city history beloved by athletes and fans of all ages. The sport was an unexpected launching pad for former White Sox pitcher and late Brighton Park-native Kevin Hickey, whose open tryout for the team in 1978 launched him into a six-season big league career. The game also has had a major influence on Lopez’ early baseball development. The second baseman fondly recalls being a batboy for his father, Bobby, a Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame great who won multiple national Amateur Softball Association championships.

For more information on the 16-Inch Softball Charity Classic, presented by Guaranteed Rate, including team registration, sponsorship packages and spectator information, visit whitesox.com/softball.