It's time once again for another installment of "Matt's True Rock 'N' Roll Tales"! I know, I know...You're very excited. This week, I'll tell you about the time I played softball with Alice Cooper and got booed...A lot.

I've actually had the pleasure of meeting Alice a few times during my radio career but my first encounter with him will always be the one that I remember. Alice was coming to town to play a station concert so we had set up a lot of events around his show. One of those events was actually something he suggested: a charity softball game. Alice actually did this quite a bit while he was on tour because it kept his band and crew in shape and out of trouble, which is actually pretty great idea.

So, the charity softball game was set up and would be played the night before Alice's show  in Saginaw, Michigan. The day of the game, myself and a co-worker had the awesome opportunity to actually pick Alice and his manager up at the airport and drive him to the diamond. We snagged Alice quickly and were on the road to the softball game, which was about a thirty minute drive. As we drove through Mid-Michigan, Alice kept pointing out landmarks that he remembered from his times on the road, which was impressive considering how many shows he'd played over the years. He also talked about all of the golf courses around the area that he had had the opportunity to play. He still knew which holes had water hazards.

As we approached the diamond, you could see the crowd. There were people EVERYWHERE. We drove right onto the diamond and dropped Alice off at the pitchers mound. As I headed to the bench, I was informed that not only would I be playing shortstop...but I was also the team's lead-off hitter. So, Alice and I were about to meet again but this time as competitors on the softball diamond. In the few at-bats I had during the game, I think I knocked a single through the left side of the field and popped out. Not bad but not great either.

Once our at-bats were over, it was time for Alice's team to bat and, of course, Alice was the lead-off hitter. Our pitcher dropped a few in on Alice before he hit a popup right to the shortstop: Me. Normally, I would just get under the ball and catch it but this was Alice Cooper popping it to me. Everyone wanted to see him get on base so I briefly considered letting it drop. My competitive side got the better of me, though, and I recorded the out, which was followed by a chorus of boos. Yes, everyone booed me because I got Alice Cooper out in a charity softball game. I think the only cheers I got were actually from my family, who probably just felt bad that I was getting booed. They wanted Alice to get on base too.

We ended up winning the game quite easily, which surprised Alice because his team had been unbeaten that year. He actually thought we had brought in ringers to play because, according to Alice, all radio people should be fat and we weren't. Nevertheless, we won the softball game, Alice met a ton of his fans, and the next day he played a great show.

And that was the first time I met Alice Cooper.

Matt with Alice Cooper
Matt and Alice Cooper
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