Another sponsor on tap for the Triple-A All-Star game set for this July, as host Charlotte Knights sign Sonic Automotive as the title sponsor for the BB&T Ballpark International League/Pacific Coast League matchup.
“We are very pleased to welcome Sonic Automotive as the title sponsor of this historic baseball game,” said Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski in making the announcement. “The 2016 Sonic Automotive Triple-A All-Star Game will showcase the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beautiful BB&T Ballpark to a national television audience on the MLB Network. Our partnership with Sonic Automotive makes perfect sense for the Knights as they are a big part of the Charlotte community — much like the Knights. We know that this will be a great partnership.”
The 2016 Sonic Automotive Triple-A Baseball All-Star presented by Gildan will take place on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at BB&T Ballpark and feature the best players from the International League against the best players from the Pacific Coast League. The logo for the 2016 Sonic Automotive Triple-A All-Star Game was also revealed during Wednesday’s press conference, along with details about the team’s new partner, Sonic Automotive. As part of their title sponsorship, Sonic Automotive will receive branding throughout BB&T Ballpark and new All-Star logo will be featured on 1.2 million Pepsi cans throughout North Carolina retailers beginning in March.
“Sonic Automotive is thrilled to partner with the Charlotte Knights and BB&T Ballpark for the 2016 season and the Triple-A All Star game,” said Rachel Richards, VP, Chief Marketing Officer of Sonic Automotive, Inc. “Our decision to partner with the Charlotte Knights was driven by our similar values. Like the Charlotte Knights, Sonic Automotive, strives to create a differentiated and great customer experience at our dealerships for our guests. In addition, the role our dealerships play in our communities is greater than just selling cars — we dedicate ourselves to support and strengthen the communities that we do business in.”
Along with details regarding the 2016 Sonic Automotive Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Gildan, the Knights also announced revealed notable items for other key events during All-Star week (July 11 to July 13). The 2016 Triple-A Baseball Home Run Derby will take place on Monday, July 11 and it will feature recognizable celebrities from in and around the Charlotte area. Eight of the celebrities on hand will act as a captain for each of the Triple-A Baseball sluggers in the Home Run Derby. There will also be an autograph session with numerous celebrities beginning when gates open at 6:00 p.m. on July 11. A full list of celebrities and other details will be announced at a later date.
The 2016 Triple-A Baseball All-Star Workout Day will take place on Tuesday, July 12 with gates opening at 12 noon. Admission for fans will be free and each of the team’s All-Stars will sign autographs. The 2016 Triple-A Baseball All-Star Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, July 13 at the Charlotte Convention Center and will feature all of the Triple-A Baseball All-Stars and coaching staffs. The key event of the All-Star Luncheon will be the revival of the Charlotte Baseball Hall of Fame, as the Knights will induct members beginning with that afternoon. Additional members will be inducted at BB&T Ballpark later in 2016.
“We are reviving the Charlotte Baseball Hall of Fame,” stated Rajkowski. “From 1982 to 1985, inductees were announced and recognized. With 2016 being the 45th anniversary of the last championship for the Charlotte Hornets (baseball) and the 40th anniversary of the first Charlotte O’s team (1976), we thought this was a great time to recognize the history of baseball in Charlotte. It will be known as the Charlotte Baseball Roundtable of Honor and a committee will be formed and inductees will be announced in the coming weeks. It’s an exciting time to be a baseball fan in Charlotte.”