Cleveland's fan fest will be the first time MLB has been able to connect the indoor and outdoor experiencesGETTY IMAGES
MLB fans in Cleveland for this summer's All-Star Game "will be treated to a one-of-a-kind enterprise that blends baseball, live music, food and more," as the Play Ball Park festival "will be the first of its kind to offer both an indoor ticketed experience and outdoor free-to-the-public activities for fans all in one location," according to Joe Noga of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Play Ball Park "will host interactive skills games, shopping, music, food and something for fans of all ages." Inside the Huntington Convention Center, fans "will have the opportunity to step into a virtual reality batters box, play the latest baseball video games including RBI Baseball 19 and MLB The Show 19, get up close with the Commissioner’s Trophy from the World Series and connect with the game’s history through traveling exhibits courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and more." Current and former MLBers "will also be available at the outdoor portion of Play Ball Park to participate in hands-on instruction and greet fans." The event will be the "first time MLB has been able to connect the indoor concept of a fan festival to the outdoor experience that includes a concert stage, food trucks, demonstration fields and even a zip line allowing fans to soar high above the action" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 3/7).
STARS ALIGNING: MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark said that the idea for the reported changes to the All-Star Game voting process was "floated last year and quickly gained fans on both the League and Union sides." He said, "There’s value to attention being drawn to one of our marquee events during the course of the year. If there are ways to support that, then we’re willing to have that conversation" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/7).
