Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week starts Friday in Arlington, and thousands of fans are expected to head to Globe Life Field. NBC 5’s Alanna Quillen has the details.
Thousands of baseball fans are expected to flock to Arlington over the next several days for the MLB All-Star game.
There are multiple ticketed events happening between Friday, July 12 and Tuesday, July 16 -- which is the day of the much-anticipated game.
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WATCH HEREThe timing is perfect, as all eyes in baseball are again fixed on Arlington just months after the Rangers' first-ever World Series win.
It's been decades since the Rangers hosted the All-Star Game, but the game is about much more than what it can do for the city of Arlington.
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SIGN UP Dell Matthews has a strong passion for baseball, and his involvement in the sport extends to being the vice president of baseball development for Major League Baseball.
“My father played in the major leagues for 17 years. I had a brother that played here in Dallas for the Rangers. And so, for me, it's extremely special to be able to carry the torch,” Matthews said.
As All-Star Week kicks off, Matthews looks forward to events such as the HBCU Swingman Classic, the Celebrity Softball Game, the All-Star Futures game, and the Home Run Derby.
“It opens doors, opens eyes to new opportunities. It's a chance to realize dreams,” said Matthews. “Baseball is a game of generations that passes down from fathers to sons and mothers to sons.”
That said, it makes sense that MLB Youth Academies are also included in the week-long festivities.
Jean Lee Batrus is the executive director of the MLB-MLPA Youth Development Foundation. She said the foundation's goal is to ensure that the game reaches everyone who is interested.
“What we're seeing is the increased cost to access the game in the last 20 years, and unfortunately, that's really impacted underserved communities, and we need more representation and diverse players in our game,” she said.
She said events like the HBCU Swingman Classic are about raising the profile of young players.
“This is a diverse group of young men who, otherwise, would not have an opportunity to play on a national platform, kicking off All-Star Week being televised,” Batrus said.
Matthew said preserving ‘America's favorite pastime’ also means honoring the greats who paved the way.
“We certainly want our next generation to lean into that and hopefully follow in their footsteps,” he said.
MLB ALL-STAR WEEK EVENTS
FRIDAY, JULY 12: The HBCU Swingman Classic kicks off at 7 p.m. This is an annual All-Star experience for baseball student-athletes from Division-I programs at Historically Black Colleges & Universities to showcase their talent on a national stage. Click here for tickets.
SATURDAY, JULY 13: The All-Star Village opens. The MLB's marquee fan festival will welcome fans worldwide for four days from Saturday, July 13 to Tuesday, July 16. The All-Star Village will encompass Esports Stadium and the North Lawn to create a unique baseball theme park in the heart of the Arlington Entertainment District. The festival opens at 10 a.m. every day. Click here for hours and tickets.
Three entertaining events are planned for Saturday at Globe Life Field. MLB's top prospects will face off in the Futures Game at 3:10 p.m., followed by the brand new Futures Skills Showcase. Then, celebrities and MLB legends will test their skills in the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game at 7:45 p.m. Click here for ticket info.
SUNDAY, JULY 14: The MLB Draft. For the fourth consecutive year, the MLB Draft will also occur during All-Star Week. The Draft will open to the public on Sunday, July 14, at the historic Cowtown Coliseum in the heart of Fort Worth Stockyards. After opening night, the remainder of the Draft will occur on Monday, July 15, and Tuesday, July 16.
MONDAY, JULY 15: Happening all day, the All-Star Workout Day is the first chance for fans to see the 2024 All-Stars live and in action at Globe Life Field. Workout Day features batting practice for the AL and NL All-Stars leading into the captivating Home Run Derby.
The Home Run Derby has become arguably just as fascinating as the All-Star Game, with electric performances of prodigious power. The event starts at 7 p.m. Click here for tickets.
TUESDAY, JULY 16: Hours before taking the field for the Midsummer Classic at Globe Life Field, All-Star players, coaching staff, and their families walk the All-Star Red Carpet Show. This year's 19th edition of the show will take place at Globe Life Field Plaza starting at 1 p.m. and will feature special appearances with mascots, giveaways, live player interviews, and more. Click here to register.
Then, on Tuesday night, the MLB All-Star Game returns to Arlington for the first time in 29 years. The 94th Midsummer Classic starts at Globe Life Field at 7 p.m. Click here for tickets.
