PEORIA, Ariz. (January 30, 2012) – The first of two centennial events hosted
by the city of Peoria will have plenty of baseball and fireworks for the entire
family. On Friday, February 3, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the
Peoria Sports Complex, there will be activities celebrating baseball. The Sports
Complex is the Spring Training home of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego
Padres, as well as host to many college and high school baseball tournaments,
and baseball camps throughout the year.
The Arizona Centennial Baseball Celebration is a free event. For more
information go to www.peoriaaz.gov/specialevents, or call (623)773-7137.
Following the baseball activities, the fireworks display will start at
approximately 9:00 p.m.
Activities on February 3:
• Little League Exhibition – The local Peoria Little Leagues will select 30
participants to play a 3-inning exhibition game on our major league stadium
field. Using a showcase format (to ensure every player gets an at-bat), the
junior Little Leaguers will be representing two teams – one team is our
“Legends” team and the other team is our “Arizona” team. Each player will be
wearing a uniform top with the last name of a famous major league player. For
instance, on the Legends team, our players will be wearing jerseys with iconic
names of Hall-of-Famers such as Ruth, Gehrig, Bench and Mays. On the Arizona
team, the jerseys will feature names of the best players from Peoria’s very own
Mariners and Padres teams – players such as Tony Gwynn, Edgar Martinez, Ken
Griffey and Adrian Gonzalez!
• Vintage Baseball Exhibition – Three teams belonging to the Arizona Territorial
Vintage Base Ball League will participate in exhibition play on the stadium
field. Wearing uniform styles of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, these players
will also use old-fashioned equipment and play by old-fashioned rules, many of
which are sure to amuse and surprise the crowd as the story of baseball 100
years ago unfolds in living color right here in Peoria Stadium!
• Home Run Challenge – Utilizing a custom set of rules designed for this event
only, several local high school baseball stars will swing for the fences in the
first-ever home run challenge. Bragging rights as the top hitter in the west
valley are at stake in this premiere slugfest!
• To top the night off, a great fireworks show will follow immediately after the
conclusion of the baseball activities!
Other components of this event include:
• Professional emcee as our event is narrated and hosted by radio personality
Dave Burns!
• Little League “spirit” contest based on admission tickets collected at the
gate. The local league with the most supporters in attendance will win a
donation to their fund!
• Cactus League museum exhibit and old-time concession menu prices add to the
fun!
• Our classic Wiffleball Field is open for free play as children have the chance
to scale the outfield wall for “game-saving grabs” on our wall catch attraction!
• This event is free to the public!
On Saturday, February 4, the city will dedicate the new Centennial Plaza, an
official Centennial Legacy project, on the City Hall Campus with a celebration
event in the new park from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Friday, February 3
Arizona Centennial Baseball Celebration
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Peoria Sports Complex 16101 N. 83rd Avenue
Saturday, February 4
Centennial Plaza Dedication
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
84th Avenue and Mountain View Road
For more information go to www.peoriaaz.gov/specialevents or call (623)773-7137.
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