Rules? What rules? Big Slick stars play an unusual softball game at Kauffman Stadium

It’s been three long years since Hollywood celebrities cavorted around the bases at Kauffman Stadium, showing off their athleticism and funny bones for adoring crowds.

But on Friday, Big Slick Celebrity Weekend stormed back with a raucous softball game of the stars ahead of that evening’s Royals game.

The rules were, shall we say, flexible. Arbitrary. Where, for example, a single would often transform into a home run.

Previous Big Slick softball games have ended in a bench-clearing brawl in the final moments. On Friday, the celebrity players couldn’t wait, piling on top of each other at the pitcher’s mound in the middle of the second inning.

Big Slick host and the evening’s play-by-play announcer David Koechner ran out to break it up. Afterward, actors Kevin Rahm (“Mad Men”) and Richard Kind (“Mad About You”) shared a heartwarming hug at the mound.

Once again, Koechner was joined by hometown hosts Paul Rudd, Eric Stonestreet and Rob Riggle, who played along with about 30 famous friends. (Missing in action: host Jason Sudeikis, who had to cancel at the last minute because of the production schedule of his Emmy-winning show, “Ted Lasso,” in London.) Because of the pandemic, the annual fundraiser for Children’s Mercy had to go online-only in 2020 and 2021.

On Friday, Major League umpires would have been furious at this game. Comedian Aisling Bea, who co-starred with Rudd in the miniseries “Living With Yourself,” struck out twice but somehow ended up on first base. And, with Koechner’s encouragement, she ran to second and then third and then home, scoring a run despite poor batting from her teammates. She jumped for joy.

“Saturday Night Live” star Heidi Gardner, a Kansas City native, drew huge applause as she hit a double and then slid into home plate. Stonestreet hit a single but kept on going to second base with ease.

And in the game’s final minutes, Koechner thought more runs needed to be scored, so he encouraged anyone on base to keep on going. He called them safe — even though they were out by a mile.

These players had some moves you wouldn’t necessarily see at a Royals game. Singer Sheryl Crow, a Missouri native, did a little dance while walking up to the plate. Maybe it was for good luck: She tied the game with her hit.

The celebrity rosters made for some interesting combinations. Adam Scott of “Parks and Recreation” fame popped out to pitcher Dustin Colquitt, the former Kansas City Chiefs punter.

Before the game, players warmed up, trying to catch balls coming their way in between interviews. Riggle, who in the distant past played football for Shawnee Mission South, practiced with “Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek.

In fact, anything the hometown stars did drew big cheers all night long. Royals mascot Sluggerrr made sure to hype up the fans as well.

As the celebrity players were introduced, they were joined by kids from Children’s Mercy, reminding the crowd what the event is really all about.

Since 2010, Big Slick has raised $13 million for the hospital.

Big Slick continues with a show and auction at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the T-Mobile Center downtown. Tickets range from $75 for standard lower level to $250-$375 for upgraded seats with Founder’s Club access, including drink tickets or open bar. They’re available at bigslickkc.org and T-MobileCenter.com.