Grand Chute - For an afternoon, Time Warner Field became an oasis of sorts.

For approximately 25 members of the Green Bay Packers, there was an opportunity to reunite with teammates for a cause: the Donald Driver Charity Softball Game.

Typically, the annual softball game serves as a welcome respite from the monotony of the Packers' early June minicamp. With the National Football League's lockout in full force, the softball game gave the Packers the chance to connect with each other and their fans Sunday.

For the sellout crowd of 8,349, it was a chance to soak up the sun on a perfect afternoon and watch the defending Super Bowl champions engage in a friendly game that benefits the Donald Driver Foundation.

The foundation, established by Driver and his wife, Betina, in 2000, assists homeless families and provides educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth in northeastern Wisconsin and Driver's hometown of Houston.

"I think everyone - fans and the players - enjoyed themselves today," Betina Driver said from a suite with family members. "Everything else with the NFL will work itself out soon enough. Today was a great day for the foundation."

For the record, the Packers' defense broke its losing streak in the series and edged the offense, 18-16, in the seven-inning affair.

"This is the first year we had a sellout crowd," Donald Driver said. "It's good to see the guys back and have some fun and experience what we haven't experienced for a long time - that's how our fans come out and support us."

The winner was the Donald Driver Foundation, but Driver, the pitcher for the offense, doesn't like to lose.

"We fell apart," Driver said with his trademark smile. "I gave up six runs (actually five) in the fourth inning, so I had to redeem myself and I did (with a home run in the sixth). We started bouncing back, but unfortunately two points short and we ended up losing the game."

Driver is optimistic that the NFL labor situation will be settled.

"I think everything will work out," he said. "We'll start playing football - like I said, no one knows when, but we will play."

One Packer more than ready to play is running back Ryan Grant, who missed most of the 2010 season after injuring his ankle in the season opener against Philadelphia.

"I'm keeping myself active with workouts and making sure my ankle is good to go," Grant said. "I picked up playing the guitar, so I'm learning that yet. Just staying busy with my family and spending time with them during this extra down time."

Grant does not concern himself with the lockout.

"It's all right; we don't have control over it," he said. "For me, I just concern myself with working out and making sure I'm ready to go when it does get settled. It's nice to be around the guys. For a lot of us it's the first time we've seen each other in a while."

"It means a lot, you know," said safety Nick Collins. "Donald Driver does a great job to get us all out here. It just shows you the chemistry and the feelings that we have on our team and the willingness to come out and participate in a special event like this."

Collins said he is working out with a personal trainer in Orlando.

"We're professionals and we know what we need to do to stay in shape," Collins said. "Right now, 'A-Rod' is the leader. If you want to call him and get something going, we're right there for him. But right now, everyone is doing what they've been doing (working out alone) and it's been successful."

Collins is confident the Packers can repeat their Super Bowl success in 2011.

"I can't wait," he said. "Everyone said it's harder to repeat. But I think we have a special group and these guys believe in themselves. We feel we can accomplish anything we put our mind to."

Second-year tight end Andrew Quarless has a year of NFL experience, and he is focused on entering training camp in great shape.

"I haven't seen a lot of these guys since the Super Bowl," Quarless said. "It's been great to get back around what I call my second family. I'm out there having fun and enjoying each other's company and the fans.

"It's definitely frustrating for a second-year player like me who is just starting to do some things, but you have to take it for what it is and really try to stay in shape. Whenever that phone rings and this thing is over, just be ready to go 110%. Today was a lot of fun and I can't wait."

Joe Friday and his wife, Tracy, drove up Friday with another couple from Hannibal, Mo., to attend the charity softball game.

"It was a long 81/2-hour drive and gas was $4 a gallon in some places, but we made a nice vacation out of it," Joe Friday said as he attempted to add more autographs to a white-paneled football outside the locker-room entrance. "This is our first time ever in Wisconsin."

Home run champion: Lineman Bryan Bulaga won the home run derby, dethroning defending champion Matt Flynn, Green Bay's backup quarterback. The second-year guard belted six home runs in the pregame contest.

Injured reserve: Jermichael Finley continues to rehab his knee after surgery and did not play in the softball game. He spoke to the crowd after the second inning and said, "I'm feeling great." In reference to a question on a Super Bowl championship repeat, he said: "Part 2 is coming soon."

Fastball: Driver got a scare in the top of the third inning. A defensive teammate hit a line shot back to the mound that struck Driver, who recovered to make the play. Driver later showed impressive reflexes by snaring a line shot in the fifth inning and ending the seventh by batting a liner by Collins into the air and making the catch after juggling the ball.

This punter can hit: Tim Masthay showed his athleticism with two home runs, a three-run shot in the third and a two-run blast in the sixth. Masthay was 4 for 4 and drove in five runs.

Rodgers still has it: Packers quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers hit two home runs and pleased the crowd with his two signature moves. After his first homer, Rodgers hopped and did his fist thrust on the way to first base. Following his second blast over the left-field fence in the bottom of the sixth, Rodgers put on his "championship belt" as he approached first base.

Mini Driver a fan favorite: Driver's 7-year-old son, Cristian, played and signed autographs after the contest for fans, who clamored for his signature. He later signed for fans lining the walkway from the locker room to team buses. "Once he gets started, it's over," said his father.

Super Bowl rings: Driver can't wait to reunite with all his teammates at Lambeau Field for the upcoming Super Bowl ring presentation. "This is something a lot of guys in this locker room have been dreaming of for a long time," Driver said.

JSOnline wrote: