SALT LAKE CITY — After Wednesday's Triple-All-Star Game in Allentown, Pa., the Salt Lake Bees and Spring Mobile Ballpark will officially be on the clock. They'll be the next hosts of minor league baseball's premier midseason showcase.
The 24th annual Triple-A All-Star Game is set for July 13, 2011, in Salt Lake City.
"We'll have our own unique stamp on it," said Bees general manager Marc Amicone. "I think people will enjoy what we put together next year. In fact, I know they'll enjoy what we do."
It's more than just a baseball game, much more.
This week's festivities at Coca Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies), includes a FanFest, home run derby, all-star gala, all-star luncheon and the big game. There's also Pacific Coast and International league meetings, as well as a joint Triple-A gathering.
Because of all the associated activities, Amicone and several members of his staff (including those involved with media relations, concessions and catering) are in Pennsylvania this week to observe things. Representatives from the Utah Sports Commission and Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau are also on hand.
"We just want to go see how they're doing it," said Amicone, who added that they will compare notes and shadow the IronPigs' staff. "We're just going to get a hands-on feel for every piece of it."
One of the biggest challenges, he noted, is how to run the event in the midst of an already busy regular season.
"We're getting prepared," Amicone said while noting that the more information they have, the better.
"It's important to run a good show here next year. We're really excited to put on the best possible event that we can," Amicone said. "Our staff is really good at putting on events. But we want to go take a serious look at all of the events. It's not just putting on a baseball game."
Initial plans for Salt Lake City include a concert at the ballpark to kick things off and the inclusion of a Utah high school baseball player in the home run derby. Details on all the events are still pending, but tickets to the 2011 Triple-A All-Star Game at Spring Mobile Ballpark will go on sale later this summer. Priority will be given to Bees season-ticket holders.
"This is one of those things that helps showcase Salt Lake and the surrounding community," said Amicone, who noted that the game will be broadcast on the popular MLB Network.
Hannah Lee, communications coordinator for the Bees, will work with the media relations staff this week. Besides MLB Network and Westwood One Radio Network representatives, approximately 50 other press credentials are issued for the event.
"We're excited to head out to Allentown for this year's All-Star Game," she said. "Our goal is to see how the event is orchestrated, bring those successes back and build on them for next year in Salt Lake City."
The Triple-A All-Star Game has been held each year since Buffalo played host in 1988. When the 2011 contest takes place, Salt Lake City will join Louisville (1991, 2008) and Albuquerque (1993, 2007) as two-time hosts of the event.
In 1996 when the ballpark was known as Franklin Quest Field, a sellout crowd of 15,500 and a national audience on ESPN2 watched the National League Affiliates defeat the American League Affiliates, 2-1. Salt Lake's Phil Roof managed the AL squad and Buzz infielder Todd Walker was named one of the three "Stars of Stars" in the game. Steve Klauke was on the national radio broadcast team.
As was the case the first time around, Amicone is determined to pack the house. It's an undertaking the Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment group eagerly accepts.
"Our company likes doing this. Our company likes to be involved," Amicone said while pointing out that the organization regularly hosts international events at the Miller Motorsports Park and big concerts and shows, plus Utah Jazz basketball, at EnergySolutions Arena. And the city, of course, is experienced with such things as the NCAA men's basketball tournament and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
This week's trip to Pennsylvania, he explained, is just a way of "crossing the T's and dotting the I's."
Triple-A All-Star games
2011: Salt Lake City
2010: Allentown, Pa.
2009: Portland, Ore.
2008: Louisville, Ky.
2007: Albuquerque
2006: Toledo, Ohio
2005: Sacramento, Calif.
2004: Pawtucket, R.I.
2003: Memphis, Tenn.
2002: Oklahoma City
2001: Indianapolis
2000: Rochester, N.Y.
1999: New Orleans
1998: Norfolk, Va.
1997: Des Moines, Iowa
1996: Salt Lake City
1995: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,Pa.
1994: Nashville, Tenn.
1993: Albuquerque
1992: Richmond, Va.
1991: Louisville, Ky.
1990: Las Vegas
1989: Columbus, Ohio
1988: Buffalo, N.Y.
e-mail: dirk@desnews.com