Here’s a great reversal: For the California League/Carolina League All-Star Game, host Wilmington Blue Rocks will have players hitting toward the Frawley Stadium grandstand, not the outfield fence.
The derby is part of the All-Star festivities, scheduled for June 16-17. The hitting challenge will feature some of the best young prospects in baseball from both the Carolina League and California League competing in two events. First, there will be a hitting contest featuring targets that players will have to hit in order to earn points. Then there will be the Home Run Derby, where fans will have the opportunity to catch any dingers off of these sluggers’ bats as the Blue Rocks will flip the field at Frawley Stadium. A new batting cage will be installed in center field and derby contestants will be awarded home runs by hitting balls into the seating area.
“There is nothing more exciting than going to a baseball game and catching a home run,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “Now when you add the spectacle of an event like this, we as a front office wanted to come up with a way for people to get that chance to take home a souvenir. Flipping the field will also bring a unique view of the hitting challenge at Frawley Stadium. With the ball coming toward the stands rather than traveling away from them it will be a whole new perspective for Blue Rocks fans, and one we think everybody will enjoy.”
The Blue Rocks have partnered with Bank of America on the event, a relationship that Kemple says has benefited the community significantly.
“We feel incredibly fortunate to be working with Bank of America on this event,” Kemple said. “Bank of America shares many of the same community-minded priorities that we pride ourselves in as an organization. They represent exactly what we are looking for in a corporate partner.”
“We are pleased to continue our support of the Blue Rocks and are excited to partner on an event that will connect Delawareans and their families to America’s pastime and a day of fun,” said Chip Rossi, Delaware president, Bank of America.
—-
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!
Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!