Derricks and Diamonds 2011

Charity Softball Tournament

April 09, 2011 – April 10, 2011

On April 9th and 10th, 2011, employees of oil and gas companies from around Houston will step up to the plate to play in the 7th Annual Derricks & Diamonds Charity Softball Tournament benefitting Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center and Charity Care Program and the Snowdrop Foundation.

 Over the last six years, more than 100 oil and gas companies have participated in the tournament, hosted by National Oilwell Varco (NOV) and Schlumberger, to raise nearly $850,000.  “The growing success of Derricks & Diamonds is a testament to the integrity of our industry to reinvest in the communities in which we do business,” says Pete Miller, Chairman, President, and CEO of NOV. “It offers the unique opportunity to witness what is possible when we unite to serve a greater cause.”  

 Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center is the preferred care provider for pediatric cancer patients around the world, serving patients from 35 states and 26 countries.  More than 50% of patients treated at the Cancer Center benefit from Texas Children’s Hospital’s Charity Care Program, which allows under- or uninsured patients to receive healthcare services free of charge or at discounted rates.  The Snowdrop Foundation, the tournament’s secondary beneficiary, raises money for pediatric cancer research and provides academic college scholarships for current and former cancer patients.

 Last year’s tournament was the most successful to date with 63 companies participating in the event to raise more than $215,000 in donations.  “I am sure that with more of the service industry involved and working together, we can make Derricks & Diamonds an even bigger success in the future,” says Andrew Gould, Chairman and CEO of Schlumberger.  Derricks & Diamonds depends on the generosity of companies throughout the oil and gas industry.  For a small donation, a company receives a spot for one co-ed team to participate in the tournament, in addition to other publicity benefits. 

 Derricks & Diamonds is about much more than softball.  Six participating “spirit teams,” compromised of friends and families of current or past Texas Children’s Hospital patients, and bat boys and bat girls, former patients assigned to each team, offer a tacit reminder of the true spirit of the event.  “Derricks & Diamonds is an event unlike any other,” says Ryan Wildberger, Tournament Director, “in that it allows the industry to compete against each other on the softball diamond while teaming up together to raise money to support young patients at Texas Children’s Cancer Center and fight pediatric cancer."

 To learn more about how to participate in Derricks & Diamonds visit www.DerricksandDiamonds.org.