I'm sure that by now you have heard that the midsummer baseball classic, Major League baseball's All-Star Game will be held in Phoenix next week.
There are other major events associated with that game, including the Home Run Derby (without Justin Upton? bleecchh), the Legends Softball game and All-Star FanFest, a baseball amusement park at the Phoenix Convention Center. Here are some other bits and pieces of All-Star interest.
 Gold Balls for the Home Run Derby © MLB |
- Now through July 11, 2011
Bank of America has teamed up with longtime Phoenix nonprofit partner Back to School Clothing Drive to encourage Phoenix residents to donate school supplies for local school children in need so that they can be fully prepared for the upcoming school year. Through July 11, the bank will be accepting donations at 120 valley Bank of America locations in special All-Star Game-themed collection bins. Donation examples include notebooks, child-safe plastic or metal scissors, 24-count boxes of crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners. Bank of America employees will contribute more than 1,000 volunteer hours to help collect, package and distribute back-to-school clothing and supplies to more than 10,000 children from 140 area schools. - July 8 - 12, 2011
MLB will be hosting theme days as a part of MLB All-Star FanFest, July 8-12 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Each day, fans will have a chance to take home a special giveaway as a part of that day's corresponding theme. Each theme day will host different activities in addition to the attractions of MLB All-Star FanFest. The Opening Day of All-Star FanFest will be Military Appreciation Day. On this day, MLB will honor U.S. Armed Forces and offer special military programs. The first 1,200 eligible fans between the ages of 4 and 18 on Friday, July 8th will receive a limited edition "Lil' Teammates" figurine. Saturday, July 9th will be Heritage Day at All-Star FanFest, celebrating the many cultures of Arizona. The first 1,200 eligible fans will receive a limited edition commemorative Heritage Day pin. Sunday, July 10th is Kids Day, where the first 1,200 eligible children between the ages 4 and 18 will receive a "Baxter the Bobcat" figurine. Monday, July 11th will be designated as Hall of Fame Monday. Fans will be able to participate in Q&A sessions at the All-Star Clubhouse with Hall of Famers. Also, the finals of the popular State Farm Mascot Home Run Derby will take place and the first 1,200 eligible children between the ages of 4 and 18 will receive a limited edition State Farm Mascot Home Run Derby commemorative pin. MLB All-Star FanFest will conclude on Championship Tuesday, July 12th to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Arizona Diamondbacks 2001 World Series Championship. The first 5,000 eligible fans will receive a commemorative, limited edition mini 2001 World Series pennant. -
Friday, July 8 through Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Westin Phoenix Downtown is celebrating All-Star Week with Happy Hour priced brews ($2 domestic, $3 microbrews) and wines all day as well as baseball-inspired favorites for $20 per person. The selections include burger sliders, all beef mini hot dogs, chorizo queso fundido, chile roasted peanuts, popcorn, house spiced potato chips and watermelon sorbet in the Province Restaurant courtyard at 333 N. Central, across the street from the Central/VanBuren lightrail stop. You can enjoy the specials from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the dates mentioned above. For more information call 602-429-3600. - July 9 - July 12, 2011
W Scottsdale at 7277 East Camelback Road near Scottsdale Fashion Square will host a a series of events that are all open the public.
Coolest Party In The Desert hosted by Jermaine Dye & Frank Thomas
Saturday, July 9, at 8 p.m.
Join former World Series MVP Jermaine Dye and former Chicago White Sox super star Frank Thomas for the coolest party in the desert at W Scottsdale. Sip summer cocktails and mix and mingle at WET pool with past and present baseball legends.
Diamond In The Desert presented by Maxim
Sunday, July 10, at 10 p.m.
Experience WET at W Scottsdale transformed to a field of dreams decked out with the chicest of baseball gear. Mingle with star athletes, enjoy an Old Spice locker room lounge, capture the night with a sports-themed photo booth and indulge in classic American concession stand favorites from hot dogs to ice cream. Tickets are $100 per person, and include two specialty cocktails. Hotel guests with reservations that evening receive two complimentary tickets. Purchase tickets online, or reserve a room for July 10 and receive two complimentary tickets.
All-Star Closing Event
Tuesday, July 12, at 8 p.m.
The hottest destination to cool offer after the 82nd MLB All-Star Game, send out MLB All-Star Week in style at with cool cocktails under the stars at W Scottsdale's WRT pool. - Sunday, July 10, 2011
Evan Longoria, MLB third baseman for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, will host the 2nd Annual All Star Jam. This year's All Star Jam will be held at the recently opened, 7,000 square foot restaurant and ultra-lounge, The Mint. The new Old Town Scottsdale destination features rich materials including dark woods, cohiba marble, fireplaces, and a state-of-the-art 3D LED cube. Gift baskets will be distributed throughout the evening and for $20 a ticket, guests can win a raffle for duffel bags filled with specialty items from Nike and Evan Longoria. There will be a private area for VIPs and guests can dance the night away with live beats laid down by DJ JR. The All Star Jam benefits Phoenix Children's Hospital and will be sponsored by Nike, EL3 and Evening Entertainment Group. Reservations can be made in advance by contacting reservations@themintaz.com. - Monday, July 11, 2011.
The gold balls at the State Farm Home Run Derby will, for the first time, feature one leather panel infused with actual 24-karat gold leather. The gold balls are put into play once a batter is down to his final out in each round. The gold balls retail for about $150 each. so they will be especially valuable keepsakes for fans in the stands at Chase Field that night. State Farm and Major League Baseball will combine to donate $18,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for each gold ball home run hit throughout the State Farm Home Run Derby. That figure represents the 18,000 State Farm agents in the U.S. and Canada, and is in addition to the $3,000 State Farm will donate to Boys & Girls Club for non-Gold Ball home runs hit during the Derby. - Friday, July 8 through Tuesday July 12, 2011
Coach & Willie's in Downtown Phoenix is kicking off the party on Friday, July 8th with live entertainment, baseball ticket giveaways and drink specials under a 6,800 sq. foot air-conditioned tent. Patrons can enjoy an ice cold Miller or Coors light for $4 while rocking to the beats of featured musical guests, Tramps & Thieves. Coach & Willie's All Star Tent Event runs Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m.-close, Sunday, 4 p.m.-close and Monday-Tuesday, 2 p.m.-close. Coach & Willie's is located behind Chase Field and within walking distance of the Metro Light Rail at 412 S. 3rd Street, Phoenix. - Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Luis Gonzalez will be the Grand Marshal for Parade of All-Stars Prior to the 2011 All-Star Game. The parade will be broadcast nationally on MLB Network. Fans will have an opportunity to see their favorite 2011 MLB All-Stars up close on the streets of Phoenix as part of the seventh annual MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet. The procession of All-Stars will make its way down an approximately 1,750 foot red carpet stretching 1/3 of a mile from the corner of First and Jefferson streets down Fourth Street and ending at Chase Field. The event, which begins at 12 p.m. local time, is scheduled to feature all the Major League Baseball All-Stars riding in Chevrolet Silverados. Serving as Grand Marshal, MLB All-Star Ambassador and five-time MLB All-Star Luis Gonzales will lead the parade through the streets. In addition, Ron Washington and Bruce Bochy, the AL and NL All-Star team managers, will lead their teams down the carpet in Chevrolet Camaro Convertibles. The World Series Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Company will be on display as part of the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet. Not forgetting the environment, red carpet used at the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet is made from 100 percent post-industrial recycled yarn, and the Chevrolet Silverado vehicles used for the players and their families will have E85 ethanol capability. - Tuesday, July 12, 2011
On the day of the Red Carpet Parade and the All-Star Game there will be street closures in downtown Phoenix. The following streets are scheduled to be closed on Tuesday, July 12, from midnight to 3 p.m. due to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game "Red Carpet Show" parade: Jefferson Street between Central Avenue and Seventh Street; Second Street between Washington and Jefferson streets. The following streets are scheduled to be closed on Tuesday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the same event: First Street between Washington and Jackson streets; Third Street between Washington and Jackson streets; Madison Street between First Street and Central Avenue. Don't forget that you can take METRO Light Rail to the downtown events! - Want to know how Major League Baseball and the City of Phoenix coordinated to produce an event that incorporates environmentally friendly features? Read about the energy efficincy and sustainability initiaves here.
- July 8 through July 12, 2011
Major League Baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phoenix Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are collaborating on an Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force to crack down on the production and sale of counterfeit merchandise and tickets during the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Week in Phoenix. Law enforcement officials will be aggressively enforcing counterfeiting laws during MLB All-Star Week in order to protect consumers from purchasing substandard products as well as to protect legitimate manufacturers and vendors who invest money and other resources to provide consumers with high quality, licensed products. Undercover investigators will be utilized. Counterfeit merchandise and tickets will be subject to seizure and anyone found guilty of producing, distributing, offering for sale, or selling counterfeit merchandise or tickets will be subject to civil and criminal penalties that could include fines of up to 2 million dollars and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years under federal, state and local laws. Major League Baseball offered the following tips to help fans avoid purchasing counterfeit souvenirs: look for the hologram sticker or holographic hangtag and a sewn-in label or screen printed notice identifying a licensee that has been authorized by Major League Baseball Properties to produce "official" licensed merchandise; shop at MLB-authorized retail locations, such as the Official Diamondbacks Team Store rather than buying items from street vendors, flea markets, or other questionable sources; beware of ripped tags or irregular markings on apparel.
Comments