Rangers Alumnus Kevin Mench threw pitches to Cowboys players Jason Witten, Miles Austin, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Brandon Carr, Bruce Carter, Sean Lee, Jason Hatcher, Doug Free, and head coach Jason Garrett.

Jason Hatcher dinged 11 homers and helped raise $43,000 for the Salvation Army in the second annual Cowboys Home Run Derby — Martha Ponce

Each hit out of the park earned $1,000 for the Salvation Army, while the last pitch earned a $2,000 money ball.

Jason Hatcher dominated the competition with 11 home runs and earned $19,000 after a $5,500-outing last year.

After the players’ at-bats, the media got a chance to ask the players about the off-season. Here’s some highlights:

Jason Hatcher loves the new defense and says you’re going to get see them get to the football.

“The defense is going to be a fast defense; relentless. We’re going to be all over the field,” Hatcher said at second annual Cowboys Home Run Derby. “So, we preparing this offseason to be the strength of this whole team.”

For the defensive line to be the strength of the team after being criticized for not taking Sharif Floyd in the draft would be an underdog’s triumph. The Cowboys gave up 2,003 yards rushing in 2012, which was 22nd league-wide. They were 21st in sacks with 34.

Hatcher doesn’t really see himself fitting into the scheme in a particular area. Rather, he defers to the coaches.

“Wherever they want me at: stopping the run, rushing the passer. I’m a role guy.”

Jerry Jones, when asked why the Cowboys didn’t take Sharif Floyd, said the Cowboys’ defensive line is a strength. Hatcher sees that as a compliment. In fact, Hatcher was pleased with the Cowboys’ moves in the first round.

“We definitely needed offensive linemen. The kid looked kid,” Hatcher lauded.

The eight-year defensive end from Grambling swung $19,000 to the Salvation Army en route to derby champion and donating $43,000 total.

Created in the spring of 2011, the purpose of Central Texas Ability Sports; or CTX Ability Sports, was to make available a destination for children with physical or emotional challenges to play sports.  Two of its founders; John Lorek and Felix Madrid started with a mission to offer year round sports, providing a focus on teaching general life skills such as teamwork, honesty, and patience.

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