Dean Ween to Host First Annual Charity Baseball Game

Photo by Sassy Frassy Lassie

Mickey Melchiondo—better known as Dean Ween, lead guitarist and co-founder of the bizarre psychedelic rock duo Ween—announced Sunday that he plans to host a special charity baseball game.

More specifically, the game will benefit the American Cancer Society: All related proceeds and donations will go directly to the foundation. The game is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. and will take place at New Hope High School in Melchiondo’s hometown of New Hope, Pa.

Deaner has made specific note that the game is “baseball, not softball” and that only one game will be played. In the short period since he made the announcement, the team rosters have already been completely filled, and the guitarist has requested people stop sending him money trying to get a spot on the team (unless, of course, it’s simply a donation to the American Cancer Society).

A number of musical guests are rumored to be attending, but the only confirmed big name so far is Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. Deaner himself will play the National Anthem and Ween keyboardist Glenn McClelland will accompany the game with traditional ballpark music on the organ.

The layout of the event will be highly democratic: According to Melchiondo, each player is ensured to play an equal amount of time (thus, the game will run for a full nine innings just like the major leagues), teams will be chosen via a lottery to avoid lopsided or stacked lineups, and all participants must bring their own gloves and bats.

To add authenticity, professional umpires will oversee the game (“to keep it semi-honest,” says Deaner) and the teams will have specially made jerseys complete with matching helmets.

Commemorative t-shirts will be available for purchase at the game. There is also talk of a fan-organized wiffle ball tournament in the New Hope High School parking lot for those who were unable to participate in the baseball game.

Most excitingly, Melchiondo has confirmed there will be a post-game party at John and Peter’s Bar in New Hope, which will last all evening and feature performances by yet-to-be-revealed musical guests. We have this weird hunch that Ween might be one of them.