Also Features Legacy Project Ceremonies, ‘PLAY BALL PARK,’ Youth Skills Competitions, Tournaments, & More

CLEVELAND, OHIO – Major League Baseball and the Cleveland Indians today released the 2019 All-Star Week youth, community & cultural initiatives schedule, including key events and initiatives leading up to the 90th Midsummer Classic. Highlights include the launch of “The Bridge Presented by CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion,” an interactive experience intersecting baseball and culture, as well as youth baseball and softball tournaments and All-Star Legacy ceremonies that will be unveiled throughout the week, starting Wednesday, July 3rd and lasting through Tuesday, July 9th. Former Tribe players will participate in the various All-Star Legacy & community projects as well as youth events. 

The following schedule also includes information on MLB’s Environmental & Sustainability programs, the annual Stand Up To Cancer moment, and visits by special young fans who are receiving an All-Star experience through Make-A-Wish, the Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life program and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

MLB Charities and Cleveland Indians Charities, with support from the City of Cleveland and various community partners, have donated approximately $5 million in celebration of the 2019 Midsummer Classic, a significant portion of which has gone toward the All-Star Legacy initiative that is seeking to positively affect the lives of youth as well as demonstrate the game’s respect for the military community. The donation will also support national charitable partners of Major League Baseball, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer, among others. A portion of the funds will be raised from Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 8th. Since 1997, when the initiative launched during the last All-Star Game in Cleveland, MLB and host All-Star Clubs have donated more than $90 million through the All-Star Legacy initiative.

“The Bridge Presented by CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion” will be a one-day interactive activation bridging baseball to different lifestyle elements, such as fashion, art, music and technology. The special event will also feature art exhibits, sneaker customization, a gaming lounge, and panelists, including Cleveland artist Glen Infante, FLOH Vodka owner Jacques Evans, Michelin Star Cleveland Chef Jill Vedaa and more.

Below is a chronological schedule of MLB All-Star Week Youth, Community & Cultural Events:

(A description of the All-Star Week projects and events accompanies the release in a separate attachment)

*Indicates an All-Star Legacy Project

Wednesday, July 3**rd**

3:00 p.m.: Larry Doby All-Star Playground (Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland King Kennedy Club, Cleveland, Ohio)

Thursday, July 4**th**

6:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies of All-Star Commissioner’s Cup & All-Star Jennie Finch Classic Presented by ARM & HAMMER (League Park, Cleveland, Ohio)

Friday, July 5**th**

9:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies of PLAY BALL PARK (Huntington Convention Center, Cleveland, Ohio)

*10:00 a.m.: All-Star Student Veterans Center at Baldwin Wallace University (Berea, Ohio)

1:00 p.m.: All-Star Green Team Volunteer Event (Cleveland, Ohio)

3:00 p.m.: Miracle League Game (Progressive Field)

Various Times – All-Star Commissioner’s Cup & All-Star Classic Jennie Finch Presented by ARM & HAMMER Tournament Games (League Park, Case Western & Baldwin Wallace)

Saturday, July 6**th**

7:30 a.m.: Jr. Home Run Derby and Pitch, Hit & Run National Finals (Progressive Field)

*10:00 a.m.: All-Star Field at Luke Easter Park (Cleveland, Ohio)

11:00 a.m.: The Bridge Presented by CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion (Red Space, Cleveland, Ohio)

1:00 p.m.: – High School All-Star Game (Progressive Field)

5:30 p.m.: Make-A-Wish Welcome Reception (Cleveland Hilton Downtown)

Various Times – All-Star Commissioner’s Cup & All-Star Jennie Finch Classic Presented by ARM & HAMMER Tournament Games (League Park, Case Western & Baldwin Wallace)

Sunday, July 7**th**

12:15 p.m.: All-Star High School Home Run Derby (Progressive Field)

7:00 p.m.: SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game (Progressive Field)

Various Times – All-Star Commissioner’s Cup & All-Star Jennie Finch Classic Presented by ARM & HAMMER Playoff Games (League Park, Case Western & Baldwin Wallace)

Monday, July 8**th**

*11:00 a.m.: Talty Field at Cleveland Metroparks Brookside Reservation (Cleveland, Ohio)

12:30 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.: Championship Games for the All-Star Commissioner’s Cup & All-Star Jennie Finch Classic Presented by ARM & HAMMER (Case Western University, Cleveland, Ohio)

Tuesday, July 9**th**

*10:30 a.m.: All-Star Digital Arts Suite at Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland’s East Tech Teen Center (Cleveland, Ohio)

Additional Cause-Related, Youth & Cultural Activities and Details

·        Stand Up To Cancer Moment: During the 90th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, MLB, Mastercard and FOX will encourage players, coaches, manages, umpires and fans in attendance at Progressive Field to join them in another extraordinary LIVE moment to stand together with Stand Up To Cancer in the fight against cancer.

·        Breaking Barriers Grand Prize Winner: Daughter of the legendary Jackie Robinson, Sharon Robinson will accompany Asma Kaukab – a rising 6th grader from Valley Stream, N.Y. – as an honored guest at Progressive Field prior to the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Monday, July 8th. Asma was selected as one of two grand prize winners of the 2019 Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life essay contest (Grades 4-6) after writing about maintaining her integrity while facing discrimination and bullying for wearing a hijab.

·        Make-A-Wish: Four young fans will be a part of All-Star Week festivities, including all events at Progressive Field, as special guests of Major League Baseball. They include: Jonathan, 12 from Beverly Hill, Mich.; Zachary, 10, from Ruskin, Fla.; Sawyer, 17, from Graniteville, S.C.; Cannon, 15, from Camas, Wash.

·        Boys & Girls Clubs of America – Youth of the Year: Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year Malachi Haynes, 19, from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver will be a part of the pregame ceremonies for the 90th MLB All–Star Game presented by Mastercard. Malachi is a student at Colorado State University.

·        KultureCity at PLAY BALL PARK: Major League Baseball and KultureCity will partner to include a sensory-friendly vehicle at PLAY BALL PARK to provide sensory bags to those in need. The bags will include tools to provide comfort to fans who may be autistic, including noise cancelling headphones, fidget spinners and more. Additionally, the vehicle will serve as a quiet room for guests visiting PLAY BALL PARK.

·        MLB Environmental Efforts: As part of Major League Baseball’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, MLB has ensured that the 90th Midsummer Classic and 2019 All-Star Week incorporate environmentally friendly features and activities. Efforts include:

• MLB will offset the environmental carbon footprint of player travel, to and from Cleveland as well as offsetting energy and water used at Progressive Field.
• Throughout the week, untouched food from event and ballpark production will be donated to Greater Cleveland Food Bank for those in need.
• Fans attending All-Star Week activities will be encouraged to walk to the game using the All-Star Green Path.
• In cooperation with FOX Sports, much of Progressive Field’s broadcast compound will offer refillable water stations as opposed to single-use plastic bottles.
• Other initiatives include the use of MLB Green Teams, volunteer event incorporating environmental education, and working with the Council for Responsible Sport to become a certified social and environmentally responsible event.
• Major League Baseball’s Green Teams will appear at ballpark and community events throughout the week in partnership with University of Northwest Ohio and Gannon University. The program incorporates a college education around sustainability, the collection of recyclables at multiple All-Star Week events, and the education of fans in Progressive Field and the Cleveland community on positive environmental practices.