“Trash talking” at the state Capitol is underway, but it’s all in good fun.

The yapping is between state representatives and senators leading up to the annual “Battle of Goat Hill” charity softball game.

This year’s game will aid the victims of January’s tornadoes that devastated the state’s Black Belt region. Specifically, the money raised from the game will go toward relief efforts in Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, and Sumter counties.

“The legislative charity softball game allows lawmakers to set aside our partisan differences, come together in friendly rivalry with the opposing chamber, and raise money for a deserving cause,” House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle), who has organized the games. “The competition between the House and Senate is surprisingly intense, and I know that all of the state representatives from both sides of the aisle are determined to bring the trophy back to the fifth floor of the Alabama State House, where it belongs.”

Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville) acknowledged the importance of the charitable element of the game but said he likes the Senate’s chances this year.

“All of us who play in the legislative softball game want our chamber to finish on top, but the ultimate winner is the charity that will benefit from our efforts and help those who have lost so much,” he said. “With 105 members compared to our 35 members in the Senate, you would think the House would offer us more competition than they did last year, but after such a blowout, I am confident the softball trophy will remain in its place of honor in the Senate.”

According to Stadthagen and Scofield, State Sen. Garland Gudger (R-Cullman) and State Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden) also played large roles in coordinating the event.

Mike Murphy, general manager of the Montgomery Biscuits, is excited for the event to be hosted at Riverwalk Stadium.

“The core values of the Biscuits are to have fun, be different, and be impactful with everything that we do,” Murphy said. “This event exemplifies each of those values and makes a huge impact across our state.”

The game is 6 p.m. April 19. Admission is $10.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.