LewisGale Field will be the site of some All-Star action next summer, as the Salem Red Sox are set to host the 2017 Carolina League All-Star Classic. The game will be played on Tuesday, June 20.
“We started working with the league more than a year ago to secure the All-Star Classic as the marquee event in a season-long celebration of 50 years in the Carolina League,” [Red Sox president/GM Ryan] Shelton said. “As stewards of Salem’s long baseball tradition, we could not be more excited to host this event.”
“We are thrilled to host another exciting sports event in the city,” Salem Mayor Randy Foley said. “The City of Salem has an extensive history with athletics, especially with baseball. The selection of Salem as the host city for the 2017 All-Star Classic reflects great credit upon the Salem Red Sox organization, Salem’s professional baseball facilities, and highlights the commitment of city staff and our citizens.”
The midsummer classic will features All-Stars from all eight of the Carolina League’s member teams. Salem last hosted the event in 2006, when it featured representatives from both the Carolina and California Leagues.
The 2017 season represents 50 years of Carolina League baseball in the Roanoke Valley. To help celebrate that heritage, the skills competition will take place at Kiwanis Field in Salem, located less than a mile away from LewisGale Field. The original home of Carolina League baseball in Salem, Kiwanis Field hosted games until the opening of LewisGale Field in 1995. The skills competition will take place on Monday, June 19.
“We are not only looking forward to hosting the All-Star Classic, but also all the events that surround the All-Star celebration,” said Salem City Manager Kevin Boggess. “Having some special activities at Kiwanis Field will bring back memories for those of us that watched Redbirds, Pirates and Buccaneers games there years ago.”
All 2017 Salem Red Sox season ticket holders will have tickets to the skills competition and the All-Star Classic included in their ticket package. Currently, that is the only way to guarantee tickets to both events. Further Ticket information and details surrounding the events of All-Star Week will be released at a later date.