Minor League All-Star Game Comes to Bradenton Saturday

BRADENTON – The 2014 Florida State League All-Star Game comes to Bradenton this Saturday with a full slate of All-Star Weekend events at historic McKechnie Field.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Friday:
Pirates and Princesses 5K Home Run presented by New Belgium Brewing
Downtown Bradenton                  
5:30p.m.-8:30p.m.

The Pirates and Princesses 5K Home Run is a scenic 5K race that will start and finish on Old Main Street and showcase the Bradenton Riverwalk as the main route of the course. More than 200 participants have registered to run and walk in the event. Participants are encouraged to dress in pirate and princess costumes. A portion of the proceeds from the race will benefit Keep Manatee Beautiful.

Saturday:
Gates Open to the Public
4:30p.m.

Fan Activities Available from Gates Opening through the Final Out, including : Mystery Ball Raffle benefiting the Children’s Dream Fund; Autographed All-Star Game Jersey Auction & Raffle benefiting Pirates Charities; Fotos-4-Fun Fan Photo Booth benefiting the Florida State League Hall of Fame

Autograph Session (All Players and Coaches)
Fan Plaza 4:30p.m.-5:15p.m.
Fans will be permitted one autographed item per player or coach. Posing for pictures will not be permitted. Credentialed media members may not participate in acquiring autographs.

Live Music by Matthew Huff
Yuengling Plaza Bar
4:30p.m.-6:30p.m.

Home Run Derby
5:30p.m.

2014 Florida State League Home Run Derby Participants
Josh Bell – Bradenton Marauders
Dante Bichette Jr. – Tampa Yankees
Austin Green – Lakeland Flying Tigers
K.C. Hobson – Dunedin Blue Jays
Patrick Leonard – Charlotte Stone Crabs
Justin O’Conner – Charlotte Stone Crabs
Bijan Rademacher – Daytona Cubs
Adam Brett Walker – Fort Myers Miracle

The Home Run Derby will feature two rounds. Each batter will have a three minute session to hit as many home runs as possible. A shorter auxiliary fence will be placed in the outfield. Hits that clear the auxiliary fence on the fly will be worth one (1) point, while true home runs will be worth two (2) points. The players with the two highest point totals will advance to the finals, which will also be conducted in a timed format.

“All-Stars Among Us” Recognition Ceremony
6:40p.m.

2014 Florida State League All-Star Game – First Pitch is scheduled for 7:05p.m.

Post-Game Activities

• Top Star Award presented by MiLB.com*

• Launch-a-Ball benefiting the Florida State League Hall of Fame

• Spectacular Fireworks presented by Zambelli Fireworks

• Concert by Save the Radio on the right field boardwalk

*Ballots for the Top Star Award, to be awarded to the Most Valuable Player, will be available in the press box for credentialed media members. Ballots will be collected during the eighth inning of the game.