|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
January 27, 2005
All-Star week a busy one in DetroitHome Run Derby, Futures Game just part of slateByRecord-Eagle staff writer DETROIT - With less than six months remaining before the Detroit Tigers host the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Comerica Park, team officials have announced several events surrounding the July 12 contest. Tickets will go on sale Feb. 1 for the 15th annual FanFest, which will run July 8-12 at Cobo Center. The event includes more than 50 attractions covering more than 300,000 square feet, according to All-Star Week liaison Michael Healy. "FanFest drew 92,000 in Houston (last summer), and we anticipate breaking that," said Healy, who was part of the Tigers media caravan earlier this week. "We're looking at 110,000 to 120,000." The All-Star game will be held in Detroit for the first time since 1971, when six future Hall of Famers played in the game at Tiger Stadium. That contest is best remembered for Reggie Jackson's 520-foot home run blast off the light tower in right field. Back then, there were no other events surrounding the game itself. "There's a lot more to it now than there was in '71," Healy said. Festivities actually begin with FanFest. The fan-friendly event will be held daily July 8-12. Among the attractions is a simulated baseball diamond, a virtual home run derby, historic items from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and autograph sessions with "Legends of the Game." FanFest runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. the first three days, but will close an hour early on the night of the All-Star game. Tickets are $16 for adults and $11 for senior citizens, military personnel and children age 3-12. The annual Futures Game, featuring up-and-coming minor league standouts, will be held Sunday, July 10 at Comerica Park, along with a celebrity softball game. On Monday, July 11, fans will be allowed to watch the American and National League teams take batting practice prior to the popular Home Run Derby. An All-Star Gala party, open to 5,000 sponsors and baseball executives, will be held afterward. Another private party will be held prior to the 76th All-Star game on Tuesday, July 12. Game time is 8 p.m. "There's a lot going on," Healy said. "We're coordinating everything from the events to where to put the auxiliary media to tickets and ticket prices." Healy said ticket availability to the general public will be "pretty minimal" because thousands of fans took advantage of last year's offer guaranteeing All-Star tickets for those who purchased season and mini-season ticket plans for 2004 and 2005. Healy said requests for tickets will be drawn through a lottery system at a future date. "We'll have standing-room only tickets, plus some singles, doubles and obstructed view seats," he said. "Probably 70 percent of the people at the game will be season ticket holders. That's pretty impressive." Healy said he expects more Futures Game tickets will be available than for other events. More ticket information will be posted on the Tigers' Web site at www.detroittigers.com when it becomes available. Healy said planning for the All-Star game and its surrounding events has gone smoothly so far. "We're very comfortable with where we are," Healy said. "We've had a lot of cooperation with Major League Baseball and the city. "We already host 81 games every summer, so this in just another game. Of course, there's a lot more things surrounding that game."
|
|
