06/20 — Matt Chatham's got a lot going on these days. He and wife Erin are proud parents — I should've mentioned Matt in my Father's Day tribute featuring Leon Washington last week — of Lex William Chatham, born May 11.

And Chatham's also going back to his roots this weekend as he hosts a charity softball game in his hometown of Sioux City, Iowa. Matt Chat, a graduate of North High, has even given the game — which he's holding to benefit the activities departments of the three Sioux City high schools — a football name: Soft Bowl I.

In keeping with the super hype, Chatham has also invited a bunch of football players to town to help with the fundraising and mix with the fans.

"We think it's a great group and we're really excited about it," Chatham told the Sioux City Journal. "I went out of my way to find people who like to do charity things, interact with the crowd and don't think of it as a chore. A lot of these people have never been to Sioux City, so I'm sure they'll appreciate going to a new place."

Among the Jets who will be pitching in are kicker Mike Nugent (becoming quite the multisport star after coaching at a Red Bulls soccer game last month) and QB/WR/RB Brad Smith. And Tim Dwight, a teammate of Chatham's with the Jets and Patriots and a fellow Iowan, will also be on hand.

The game begins Saturday at 12:15 p.m. CDT at Lewis and Clark Park, home of the American Association's Sioux City Explorers, and there will be an autograph session before the game and a concert featuring Omaha rock band 3D afterward that Chatham is geeked up about.

I'm not saying you Jets fans here in the East should hop a plane and make a weekend of it, but any wearers of the Green & White who are in the neighborhood and have a wide-open Saturday dance card may want to swing by for the fun and games.

Numbers Game

Again with an eye to those of a numerological bent, the three newest Jets have their green and white jersey assignments for the summer.

Safety Cameron Worrell, who wore No. 44 with the Bears and last year with the Dolphins, has No. 45 heading toward training camp, with second-year safety James Ihedigbo still sporting 44.

The versatile A.J. Schable, who theoretically could wear something in the 20s, 30s or 40s as a fullback, in the 40s or 80s as a tight end, or in the 60s, 70s or 90s as a defensive end, is listed as a TE and will start out at No. 48.

And punter Joe Smith won't make anyone forget about Brett Favre, but the man who executed all the kicks for the Yakima Mavericks the past several years nevertheless will check in at No. 4 as a Jet.