Jack White showed off a pillbox hat and smooth swing in a charity baseball game

By Eric Chesterton @CF_Larue

July 12, 2019

In March, rock star and noted Tigers fan Jack White jumped in to the efforts to restore Hamtramck Stadium -- an old Negro League stadium just outside Detroit -- with a $10,000 donation that kicked off a $115,000 campaign.

View this post on Instagram

We believe Baseball is a sport for everyone who has the passion and hunger for the game. No matter race, gender, ethnicity, or financial status ... it should be for everyone. And accessible. This is exactly why we are proud of #Warstic Co-owner @officialjackwhitelive’s donation to help raise funds for the @hamtramckstadium field restoration in #Detroit, one of five remaining #NegroLeagues baseball stadiums in the country. Jack White’s desire to preserve the unique history of Baseball is complemented by Warstic’s mindset towards evolving the culture of Baseball. In this vein, our @TeamWarstic programing was created to teach, inspire and develop players, not just with their mechanics and skills but with their mind and worldview. For us, it’s not about where they come from, but rather the #grit to go against the grain and the willingness to #battle to make people’s lives better. #warstripenation #teamwarstic #morethanbasballislife #notbaseballdaycare  #timetohunt #learnittoearnit

A post shared by Warstic (@warstic) on Mar 5, 2019 at 10:50am PST

On Thursday, the former White Stripes' front man brought a team to Hamtramck for a baseball game against local residents to benefit the restoration efforts. White didn't just show up in street clothes or ratty gym shorts. No. He went all in on the retro baseball look.

Jack White is suited up and ready to play as he leads a team in a benefit baseball game to help out Hamtramck Stadium, one of the country’s few remaining Negro League ballparks. pic.twitter.com/oqeUOR5Jiw

— Freep Entertainment (@FreepEnt) July 11, 2019

White didn't just look the part. He's watched tons of baseball over the years. The guy owns a bat-making company, for crying out loud! It shouldn't be surprising that he knows how to swing it a little:

Jack White just singled in his first at-bat here at Hamtramck Stadium. pic.twitter.com/MYVxZIiWGR

— Freep Entertainment (@FreepEnt) July 11, 2019

In the spirit of a retro game, White did a bit of coaching in addition to his playing. After his 88-year-old mother smoked a ball back to the pitcher, he put on his coaching hat to make sure she made it to first base.

Jack White’s 88-year-old mom just got on base at the rocker’s charity baseball game in Hamtramck. pic.twitter.com/Bqv4pni7SS

— Freep Entertainment (@FreepEnt) July 11, 2019

Thanks to White and his slugging mom, his visiting team defeated the local residents, 17-5. According to his teammate Ben Jenkins, White doesn't like losing, even in events that support a good cause. "I'm totally fine with losing," Jenkins said. "He's not." It seems on Thursday, then, everybody won.