Every year, country music kicks off CMA Fest by giving back. Before the acts and their hordes of fans descend on Nashville to indulge in great food and even better music, dozens of stars participate in the City of Hope's annual Celebrity Softball Challenge to raise money for cancer research.

This year, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Florida Georgia Line, Chuck Wicks, Brett Eldredge, Krystal Keith and more have committed to step up to the plate and participate in the big game. The Softball Challenge benefits the City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for patients who suffer from cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

In the 23 years since it was implemented, the annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge has raised more than $2 million for the organization.

This year, rival teams the Grand Ole Opry and After MidNite with Blair Garner will pit against each other at Greer Stadium in Nashville on June 8 at 9AM CT.

“We’re so proud to be a part of this special event each year as we help support the amazing work City of Hope is doing to help those with cancer,” said Garner (quote via Country Music Is Love). “We encourage country music fans to come out to the ballpark and watch their favorite stars as we battle it out for this great cause!”

You can purchase tickets to the face-off here. Don’t miss your chance to see your fave country stars battling -- and hopefully talking some trash -- all while raising money for a good cause. Let’s play ball!

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