It's America's pastime and Broadway's premiere sporting event: softball. With stars like Matthew Broderick, Henry Winkler, John Ritter and Michele Lee up to bat, the Broadway Softball League throws its first pitch May 10 on Central Park's Heckscher Softball Fields at 63rd and Central Park West.

Beginning at 1 PM with the traditional singing of the National Anthem (for the event, rendered in four part harmony by The Music Man's barbershop quartet), the League starts the softball season, which continues on Thursday afternoons throughout the summer.

Also on hand will be Follies' Treat Williams and Gregory Harrison, Cabaret's Gina Gershon, The Music Man's Rebecca Luker and Contact's Deborah Yates and Stephanie Michels, as well as the teams from Aida, Kiss Me, Kate, The Lion King, Rent, Blast! and Bells Are Ringing.

2001 marks the 47th season of the Broadway Softball League. Each year, currently running Broadway shows are eligible to play Thursdays from 11 AM on at the Heckscher Softball Fields in Central Park. Michelob Light, sponsoring the League in 2001, donated $50,000 to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids for the honor.

— By Christine Ehren