The Jackson Generals will host the 2020 Southern League All-Star Game at The Ballpark at Jackson, with the annual game and related events set for next June.
This will be the first Southern League All-Star Game hosted by the Generals since 2011, and Jackson’s first as an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate. The Southern League’s 2020 All-Star Break events will occur June 22-23, 2020, with the game being played on the evening of Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
“The Jackson Generals are thrilled to host the 2020 Southern League All-Star Game,” Generals assistant general manager Marcus Sabata said. “The talent in the Southern League is second to none, and we couldn’t be more excited to gather these future Major Leaguers in Jackson for a few days next June. Make plans now, because it will be a must-see event.”
“Having the Southern League All-Star Game back in Jackson will be an exciting event for Jackson and all of West Tennessee,” Jackson Chamber president and CEO Kyle Spurgeon said. “We look forward to welcoming players and fans to what promises to be a memorable mid-summer celebration.”
The Generals most recently hosted the Southern League All-Star Game in 2011 as a Seattle Mariners affiliate, when current Jackson manager Blake Lalli earned Midseason All-Star honors as a Tennessee Smokie. Generals players Jake Shaffer, Kyle Seager, Jarrett Grube, Erasmo Ramirez, Bobby LaFromboise, and Andrew Carraway all played roles in a 6-3 North Division win that year, as Chattanooga’s Scott Van Slyke won the All-Star Game MVP award. Shaffer also competed in the 2011 Home Run Derby at Pringles Park, an event won by Jacksonville’s Luke Montz after holding off fellow future big leaguers Paul Goldschmidt, Stephen Vogt, and Ryan Flaherty.
This year’s 2019 All-Star Game was hosted by Biloxi, with the North Division claiming a 7-3 win. Luis Robert of Birmingham was named Most Valuable Player, and Generals Riley Smith, Bo Takahashi, Daulton Varsho, Drew Ellis, Jamie Westbrook, and Jeffrey Baez all contributed to the victory. Baez and Westbrook also starred in the 2019 Home Run Derby, which Baez won.
“The Southern League is so pleased to have the 48th annual All-Star Game return to The Ballpark at Jackson next year,” Southern League president Lori Webb said. “We look forward to featuring a lot of talent at 4 Fun Place, and we will see if the North Division can prevail again! We hope the Jackson community will support their team and watch some of the best prospects the Southern League has to offer playing in their home town stadium.”
The league’s top performers will descend upon Jackson at the midway point in the season on Monday, June 22, 2020, along with scouts, team executives, media, and fans from around the country. Specific details regarding the 2020 Southern League Home Run Derby, additional All-Star Game shoulder programming, and a first-pitch time for the Southern League All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, will all be finalized at a later date. The Southern League’s full 2020 schedule of games is expected to be released later this week.
“We plan on pulling out all the stops to make this a memorable event for players and fans alike,” Sabata said. “West Tennessee has been so good to the Generals and the Southern League. We look forward to showcasing all the elements that make this city and area special.”