Named after Negro League standout Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe, the Double Duty Classic (DDC) is a celebration of the best inner-city high school players in the country. Since its inaugural year in 2007, the DDC has served as a way to remember the history and tradition of Negro League Baseball in Chicago. It also has presented top prospects for the next generation the opportunity to shine in front of coaches, scouts and their community while also remembering the Negro Leaguers who made these opportunities available.
2019 Double Duty Classic Details
Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Guaranteed Rate Field
- FREE ADMISSION - Game Time 1:05 p.m.
- Complimentary parking is available in LOT B (north of 35th Street)
- Gates open at noon
- Live music and entertainment at Gate 5 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
- The concession stands will be open during the game
Notable Double Duty Classic Game Participants
- Ro Coleman, Former Vanderbilt University baseball player & National Champion
- Lorenzo Elion, University of Iowa baseball player
- Bryce Gray, University of Notre Dame baseball player
- Courtney Hawkins, Outfielder in San Francisco Giants organization
- Michael Hermosillo, Outfielder in the Los Angeles Angels organization
- Blake Hickman, Former University of Iowa pitcher, first ACE player to be picked in the first 10 rounds of the MLB Draft
- Jeremy Houston, Indiana University baseball player
- Micah Johnson, Former White Sox player
- Corey Ray, Former University of Louisville outfielder, 5th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft and first Chicago athlete to be drafted in the Top 10 since 1989
Double Duty Classic Forum
One of the foundations of the Double Duty Classic is a forum featuring a panel of prominent former major leaguers, media luminaries and executives to educate the players on the history and impact that African Americans have had on the game of baseball.
2015-18 Forum Participants
- Harold Baines, six-time All-Star and White Sox ambassador
- James Baldwin, former White Sox All-Star pitcher
- Tyrone Brooks, MLB Front Office and Field Staff Diversity Pipeline Program senior director
- Jermaine Dye, two-time All-Star and 2005 World Series MVP
- Julian "JR" Jackson, JRSportBrief and CNN's HLN sports reporter
- Bob Kendrick, Negro League Baseball Museum (NLBM) president
- Kip Lewis, CSN sportscaster
- Damion Thomas, National Museum of African American History and Culture curator
- Michael Wilbon, ESPN analyst and columnist
- Ken Williams, White Sox executive vice president
- Devin Pickett, former ACE player and White Sox baseball operations
- Tony Reagins, Major League Baseball's senior vice president for youth programs
- Todd Steverson, White Sox hitting coach
- Troy Williams, former ACE player and ACE coach
- Laurence Holmes, 670 the Score personality
