14-time MLB All-Star, seven-time N.L. MVP, and Godson to the great Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter have been named honorary captains for UNINTERRUPTED Fam Jam, during BARNSTORM BIRMINGHAM,’ a Juneteenth Celebration on Wednesday, June 19th at Rickwood Field. Tickets for the celebrity softball game, including a postgame performance by global music superstar Metro Boomin, are on-sale to the general public for $24 at MLB.com/rickwood. The LIVE game at Rickwood Field begins at 7:00 p.m. CT, while the game will broadcast on MLB Network on June 20th at 1:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT.
Additionally, the coaching staff of both teams – SAY HEYS and THE HAMMERS (named in honor of Alabama-born Hall of Famers Mays and Hank Aaron) – include a star-studded cast of former All-Star Major Leaguers as well as those from the world of music and entertainment. Members of the coaching staff include:
Former MLB Stars:
David Ortiz
Alex Rodriguez
Jimmy Rollins
Dontrelle Willis
Adam Jones
LaTroy Hawkins
Dexter Fowler
Michael Bourn
Micah Johnson
Entertainment:
Rickey Smiley – Actor & Nationally Syndicated Radio Host
Tee Grizzley – Rapper
Bubba Dub – Comedian
Brought to fans by Major League Baseball and UNINTERRUPTED, the award-winning athlete storytelling brand founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, UNINTERRIPTED Fam Jam will feature the following players on the field:
The latest round of confirmed celebrities include (listed alphabetically):
Alycia Baumgardner – WBC and IBO female super featherweight champion; WBO IBO and The Ring female super featherweight champion
Ari Chambers – Founder, HighlightHER; host & writer, ESPN & Andscape
CC Sabathia – Six-time MLB All-Star; 2009 World Series Champion; 2007 A.L. C y Young Award Winner
Collin Sexton – Guard, Utah Jazz
DC Young Fly – Comedian & Actor
Dez Bryant – Former Pro Bowl WR
Dreezy – Grammy Award nominated, Platinum recording artist
Dwight Freeney – Pro Football Hall of Famer
Earthgang – Grammy Award nominated, Platinum recording artists
EST Gee – Platinum recording artist
Jalen Milroe – Starting QB of the Alabama Crimson Tide
Jameis Winston – NFL Quarterback & former FSU star pitcher
Joe Johnson – Former NBA All-Star
JR Smith – Former NBA Champion; North Carolina A&T State University Golfer; co-host of “PAR 3” podcast
Karen Civil – Music Executive, Marketing Strategist, Philanthropist
Kel Mitchell – Actor & Comedian (“Good Burger,” “Kenan & Kel”)
Lil Rel Howery – Comedian & Actor (Get Out)
Matt Barnes – Former NBA Champion; co-host of “ALL THE SMOKE” podcast
Max Holloway – MMA & UFC Champion Fighter
Najee Harris – Pro Bowl RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Omari Hardwick – Star of hit TV show Power
Phoebe Robinson – Comedian, Actor, Author and Podcaster
Robin Thede – Actor, Comedian and Host
Roy Wood Jr. – Comedian; Birmingham native
Ryan Howard – former World Series Champion, All-Star & Most Valuable Player
Sam Jay – Comedian & Actor
Stephen Jackson – former NBA Champion; co-host of “ALL THE SMOKE” podcast
Terrell Owens – Football Hall of Famer
The June 19th game will broadcast on MLB Network at 2:30 p.m ET on Thursday, June 20th, airing prior to MLB at Rickwood Field. The game will be called by former MLB All-Stars Harold Reynolds and Chris Young. BARNSTORM BIRMINGHAM was launched by Sabathia, and in collaboration with UNINTERRUPTED co-founder Maverick Carter, brought in UNINTERRUPTED’s Fam Jam, a celebrity event platform that will feature remixed softball celebrating the Negro Leagues in a fresh way.
RULES FOR UNINTERRUPTED FAM JAM
Match Play Score:
Final score will be calculated by innings won, not total run count.
Innings are won by whatever team has the highest run count at the end of the inning.
The team that scores the most runs during the inning is awarded one point.
The winner of the last inning will be awarded 2 points.
If the score is still tied after 5 innings, a sudden-death inning will be played to determine the winner.
Time Limit:
No new inning can start after 8:45pm
If still tied, sudden death begins
Crowd Decides Instant Replay:
Instead of instant replays, fans will be brought in to make the calls on close plays that could go either way.
Each team will have the opportunity to challenge one play
Other surprises in store!
Ticket offers for BARNSTORM BIRMINGHAM include a bundled ticket offer to the MiLB at Rickwood game being held the day prior on Tuesday, June 18th. The three events Rickwood Field, the country’s oldest ballpark, MiLB at Rickwood (Tuesday, June 18th), BARNSTORM BIRMINGHAM (Wednesday, June 19th), and MLB at Rickwood (Thursday, June 20th), all are in tribute to the Negro Leagues and its players, including Mays. In collaboration with the City of Birmingham, MLB will make a select amount of tickets available for free to local youth and community groups.
Barnstorming was an integral practice of Negro Leagues baseball in an era when teams and players in the Leagues traveled to different communities to promote their style of baseball. Existing and future information on these events can be found at MLB.com/rickwood.