We're All Stars Now

The Texas League All-Star Game, like most such affairs, is held in a different Texas League city every year. This year, it’s Springfield’s turn, and the Queen City—specifically the beauty that is Hammons Field—has its chance to show off. The beauty of hosting the game is that the hometown team has a chance to put a very Cardinal–like stamp on the festivities, and the night-long event will not disappoint.

• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

• The crowd-favorite Home Run Derby begins at 6 p.m. Participants have not yet been announced, though we suspect you’ll see Cardinals third baseman Allen Craig, who is tied for seventh in the league with 11 home runs. One fan will be “attached” to each player, and the one whose player wins the derby will win a prize package from Bass Pro.

• Also before the game, the Liverpool Legends, from Branson, will perform.

• The game starts at 7:10 p.m. General admission tickets remain for $6.

• Between-innings games will be recognizable, but feature what the team is calling a “twist” from the normal proceedings. Stay tuned.

• After the game, stay for the usual big-time fireworks display, as well as a post-game party on the patio, featuring the band Hot Switch.
And, of course, you’ll enjoy the best baseball the Texas League has to offer. Treat it like any other game, but try not to get confused by all the different jerseys. Due to the call-‘em-up, ‘call-em-down nature of Double-A baseball, some of the players picked to play will not be present. The most recent starting nine available (not counting pitchers) are listed in the sidebar below

Hey Now, You're an All Star?
How to get under the skin of the Texas League's best (rated PG)

Game day is almost here, and while we’re partial to our Springfield Cardinals (there are seven of them on the North division roster!), we’re going to have to learn to like their North teammates for at least one day.

Then, thank goodness, it’s back to being unabashed homers. Here are the North and South division starting rosters (at press time) complete with a one-line, family-friendly heckle we recommend whenever the players are in town.

North

1B: Kila Kaaihue—NW Arkansas
“With that last name, you’ll never make it past Double-A!”
2B: Cory Wimberly—Tulsa
“Wimberly? More like Wimp-erly.”
3B: Allen Craig—Springfield
SS: Tyler Greene—Springfield
C: Ben Johnson—Arkansas
“Hey, didn’t you get busted for using ‘roids at the Olympics 1988? Oh, you were six?”
DH: Juan Richardson—NW Arkansas
“Hey, didn’t you play for us last year?”
OF: Dexter Fowler—Tulsa
“Why’d you let them move your show to CBS?
OF: Matt Miller—Tulsa
“Go home. We’ve already got like eight of you in Springfield.”
OF: Shane Robinson—Springfield

South

1B: Kyle Blanks—San Antonio
“Say hi to Billy for us!”
2B: Drew Sutton—Corpus Christi
“You got ‘nuttin, Sutton!”
3B: Jesus Guzman—Midland
“I wouldn’t go walkin’ around these parts with a first name like that unless you want to have a really sober Fourth of July.”
SS: Tommy Manzella—Corpus Christi
“Keep your Man-zilla to yourself, sir.”
C: Max Ramirez—Frisco
“Didn’t you run the diner in Saved By the Bell?”
DH: Tommy Everidge—Midland
“Why does your last name sound like a brand of power tool?”
OF: Ben Harrison—Frisco
“You have a boring last name.”
OF: Chad Huffman—San Antonio
“You have a boring last name.”
OF: Steven Murphy—Frisco
“You have a boring last name.”