The Grand Junction Rockies (Rookie; Pioneer League) will plan a major event at Suplizio Field, as the team is hosting the 2018 Pioneer League-Northwest League All-Star game.
It has been announced that the 2018 version of the contest will head to Grand Junction, which is hosting the game for the first time. While the scheduling has not been finalized, the Pioneer League-Northwest League All-Star Game and related events have typically been held in early August, and that will continue in 2017, when the game is played at the home of the Hillsboro Hops (Short Season A; Northwest League) on August 1.
Between now and the 2018 All-Star Game, the Rockies will look to plan several aspects of the event. Rockies president Joe Kubly hopes that the game can showcase the entire region. More from The Daily Sentinel:
“There will be some community aspect, will likely be a home run derby, those are pretty typical, and the game,” Kubly said. “I’m sure we’ll have a Fan Fest.
“In 1½ days you want to try to cram as much as you can in, but still make it a memorable experience, something unique.”
Kubly wants to incorporate the entire region, from area wineries and orchards to Grand Mesa and Colorado National Monument as well as the city and Suplizio Field.
The first step, he said, is to create a logo for the game, which won’t be revealed until after Hillsboro’s game, and come up with a unique jersey for the game.
The announcement that Grand Junction will host the 2018 game was made on Tuesday, when it was also revealed that the two leagues have agreed to extend their partnership on the All-Star Game through 2020.