Good thing there’s lots of room past the home-run fences at Sims Legion Park: the Gastonia Grizzlies (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) are hosting a Home Run Derby on March 19 featuring former American League MVP Jose Canseco.
It’s billed as the first annual ASP Nation Home Run Derby. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the derby with the finalists hitting after Jose Canseco.
The festivities will include a hitting demonstration between Jeff Hall of East Coast Athletics and Jose Canseco, a VIP meet and greet with Canseco, and a speech and question and answer session with the former MVP. The Home Run Derby will begin at noon, followed by the semifinals and Canseco and Hall’s hitting exhibition taking place at 7. Immediately following the demonstration will conclude the finals and speech from Canseco.
The Home Run Derby is limited to the first 100 people who register and includes 10 swings on the field and a signed baseball from Jose Canseco. The cost is $20 and you can register www.gastoniagrizzlies.com/homerunderby. All hitters must be 16 years or older.
VIP tickets will be available that include an hour meet and greet session with Canseco and All You Can Eat Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, Soda and Beer for the duration of the event. The VIP section will also be limited to first 100 fans that purchase tickets. Tickets are $40 for VIP and $50 to receive VIP and hit in the Derby.
General Admission tickets will also be available for the event and are $10. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Field of Dreams Foundation, non-profit that provides baseball instruction and equipment to kids throughout Gaston County.
All tickets can be purchased at www.gastoniagrizzlies.com/homerunderby.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be teaming up with Jeff Hall to host this event,” said Grizzlies Managing Partner Jesse Cole. “Jose is one of the biggest names in baseball and I can’t wait to see the show he and Jeff will put on at Sims Park.”
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