Chehalis tribal chairman dazzles in celebrity softball game at Cheney Stadium

It was only right that Dustin Klatush, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, made the game-ending double play several feet from the tribe’s sponsorship sign in center field at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma on Saturday.

The fourth annual Seattle All-Star Classic, a celebrity softball game hosted by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, came to a close on a fly ball with one out and a runner at third.

Klatush caught a deep fly ball in center field just inside the makeshift outfield fence and unleashed a wicked throw to home plate to nab professional baseball player Matt Fields trying to score, with former Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant applying the fatal tag. The throw, which sealed a 12-10 victory for Klatush’s team, would have made any Tacoma Rainiers scout draft up a contract for the former Oakville High School pitcher and infielder.

“I’ve done it plenty of times. I was hoping somebody would run on me today because that’s exactly what was gonna happen,” Klatush said of the highlight-reel laser from center field.

Klatush was one of many participants in the Seattle All-Star Classic, which raised money for Level the Field Sports, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and financial assistance to children from kindergarten through fifth grade to play team sports. The Chehalis Tribe was one of the sponsors of the event.

The game also included former Seattle Seahawks like Lofa Tatupu and Marcus Trufant, former Ohio State standouts such as Lathan Ransom and Dawand Jones, and Seattle stars like rapper Kid Sensation and former Seattle Sounder Lamar Neagle. “Entourage” star Jeremy Piven also made an appearance before a stand-up comedy show in Seattle.

Klatush also competed in the event’s home run derby and put up an impressive 14 dingers, launching more long balls than multiple professional athletes. Western Oregon University baseball alum Blake Lively took home the home run derby crown with 30 first-round homers and 28 more in the second round.

Klatush said before the derby that he planned to win the contest but admitted he felt winded about 55 seconds into the two-minute round.

“Fourteen is not enough against the pros, but it’s not bad for a chairman,” he said. “I’ll be back next year, and I’m gonna win that home run derby too.”

Klatush said he expects the event to grow year after year as it continues to give back to the South Sound community, which was a huge reason why he and the tribe decided to get involved.

“It’s for the kids. That’s all we care about. All these people and all the pros that are out here, they’re out here for the kids,” Klatush said. “Look at them right now. They’re out here signing stuff for every kid that’s out here. They’re shaking everybody’s hands. They’re having a good time.”