Inaugural Bluegrass World Series Baseball Tournament Coming to Louisville July 30 – Aug. 4
Event Featuring Former MLB Players, Current College Stars will be Held at Slugger Field
Louisville, Ky. – February 23, 2018 – The inaugural Bluegrass World Series, a tournament that will feature seven collegiate wood bat teams and a team comprised of 35 retired major league players, will be held at Louisville Slugger Field from July 30 – Aug. 4, 2018.
The Bluegrass World Series was created based the vision of the Louisville Bats’ owners Stuart and Jerry Katzoff to bring a week-long family-orientated event to Louisville that would celebrate baseball, family, and community.
“We are so excited that a great baseball city like Louisville is going to host the inaugural Bluegrass World Series,” said Brent Hall, event manager. “The tournament will feature seven collegiate wood bat teams from Texas, Florida, Colorado, Mississippi, Indiana, and Kentucky; and the Louisville Stars, a team comprised of 35 retired major league players who collectively have 20 World Series Championships, 68 all-star appearances and two members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.”
The Stars’ roster showcases players with a combined 54 MLB All-Star appearances and 18 World Series Championships, including Chipper Jones, who will be recognized at Louisville Slugger Field on Wed. Aug. 1 for his 2018 induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Other former MLB All-Stars who will be participating include Tim Hudson, Andruw Jones, Johnny Damon, Roy Oswalt, and Josh Beckett.
In addition, Cincinnati Reds legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench will appear at the Bluegrass World Series. The 14-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion catcher will serve as manager for the already star-studded Louisville Stars team.
“We are excited and honored to bring an incredible roster of Major League stars and top college players to Louisville for a great week of baseball fun,” said James Breeding, chief operating officer of the Louisville Bats. “This event will allow baseball fans and families to affordably see Hall of Fame and All-Star players right here at Louisville Slugger Field.”
Horseshoe Southern Indiana is partnering with the Bluegrass World Series as VIP hosts for the former MLB players and their wives.
“Having these baseball legends come together for a great cause was something Horseshoe wanted to be a part of and we are excited to have them join us that week,” said Brad Seigel, senior vice president and general manager of Horseshoe Southern Indiana.
“Kudos to the ownership and management of the Bats for their innovation and creativity in developing the Bluegrass World Series,” said Karl Schmitt, president & CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission. “This event represents another family-oriented sports experience in Louisville that will draw local people and out-of-town visitors.”
Each night of the Bluegrass World Series will have a different theme:
- Monday: celebrates the Louisville business community
- Tuesday: pays tribute to men and women of the military and our local charities
- Wednesday: celebrates the Hall of Fame Career of Chipper Jones
- Thursday: family night
- Friday: honors Cincinnati Red-great Johnny Bench
- Saturday: pays tribute to The Big Red Machine
Tickets for the Bluegrass World Series at Louisville Slugger Field go on sale Friday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices range from $8 to $25 and are available by visiting www.batsbaseball.com, calling (502) 212-2287, or at the Louisville Slugger Field box office from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.