this first spot\u00a0<\/a>will feature a new, unreleased mix from the original multi-track tapes of the iconic song \u201cAmerican Girl\u201d by\u00a0Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers\u00a0\u2014 commemorating the 50th\u00a0anniversary of its recording, originally recorded on July 4, 1976 \u2014 with a Hi-Res \/ Dolby Atmos release of the track set to debut in June. Additional creative is slated for release over the remainder of the baseball season, all highlighting the familiarity, community and comfort of baseball as an iconic tradition that has modernized as the country has.<\/p>\n\u201cBaseball in America\u201d Social-First Digital Content Series presented by Booking.com<\/p>\n
Launching today, this digital content series created for social media first explores and celebrates how baseball permeates every state of the country. Forming a state-by-state journey, this series shows how baseball mirrors the pulse of the nation by highlighting a unique diamond sports story from each of the 50 United States. The first video details Alaska\u2019s Midnight Sun Game and can be viewed across social media platforms\u00a0@MLB.<\/p>\n
Ballpark Expedition presented by T-Mobile<\/p>\n
With Baseball fans annually endeavoring to complete the ultimate ballpark expedition by visiting all Major League stadiums, MLB developed a new digital platform to celebrate the individuality of MLB ballparks and foster more engaged, curated visits to these cathedrals of the game. Launching June 1st, Ballpark Expedition presented by T-Mobile is accessible across MLB.com, the MLB app and the MLB Ballpark app. It includes three elements for fans to interact with:\u00a0Journey to 30\u00a0Sweepstakes,\u00a0Ballpark Guides\u00a0and\u00a0Journey to 30 Road Trip.<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Journey to 30\u00a0Sweepstakes\u00a0is a nationwide sweepstakes with a grand prize that rewards one lucky fan with the chance to visit every MLB ballpark.<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ballpark Guides\u00a0are digital guides highlighting the uniqueness and must-see features of MLB\u2019s ballparks.<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Journey to 30 Road Trip\u00a0is a creator-led content series led by Youtuber Matthew Beem that spotlights the most iconic views, foods and features of all 30 ballparks through the lens of one of America\u2019s most popular digital talents.<\/p>\n
MLB 4th\u00a0of July Celebration presented by Ford<\/p>\n
Ford Motor Company, which topped Time Magazine\u2019s inaugural list of America\u2019s Most Iconic Companies, and Major League Baseball, earlier this season announced a new partnership that named Ford the Official Automotive Partner of MLB. This announcement firmly linked America\u2019s National Pastime with the legendary auto manufacturer. Ford \u2013 the maker of F-Series, America\u2019s best-selling truck, alongside Explorer, one of America\u2019s most enduring family SUVs, and Bronco, the off-road SUV that helped define adventure \u2013 has also aligned with MLB to amplify league-organized July 4th\u00a0activities and content as part of the MLB 4th\u00a0of July Celebration. This is the first time that a brand has partnered with MLB to specifically highlight the holiday most closely associated with baseball.<\/p>\n
Nationally Broadcast Holiday Weekend Games<\/p>\n
Over the Fourth of July weekend, Friday, July 3rd\u00a0through Sunday, July 5th, MLB will feature a robust slate of nationally televised and streamed games across FOX, NBC, Peacock and Apple TV, with all 30 Clubs represented at least once throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n
On Friday, July 3rd, Apple TV will stream its weekly Friday Night Baseball doubleheader with matchups to be announced. In celebration of America\u2019s 250th, MLB fans can receive a 1-month free trial of Apple TV, beginning May 27th. Fans get access to weekly live Friday Night Baseball games along with original TV series and movies, only on Apple TV. Visit\u00a0apple.co\/MLBoffer\u00a0to redeem in the U.S. and Canada from May 27th\u00a0through July 5th.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, July 4th, FOX Saturday Baseball will feature regional coverage of the primetime holiday matchups between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves at 8 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, July 5th, all 15 scheduled MLB games will air live on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN in the U.S. as part of \u201cStar-Spangled Sunday,\u201d highlighted by two exclusive NBC broadcasts, the New York Mets at Atlanta Braves at 12:30 p.m. ET\/9:30 a.m. PT and Sunday Night Baseball primetime matchup between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at 7:20 p.m. ET\/4:20 p.m. PT. Select additional games will simulcast across NBC Sports regional and national platforms. The complete holiday weekend schedule will be announced at a later date.<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
Ballpark Activations on the Fourth of July<\/p>\n
MLB ballparks across the country will feature a variety of special elements around their Fourth of July games, including postgame fireworks shows, field stencils, custom giveaways, in-game entertainment and military member recognitions.<\/p>\n
PLAY BALL Events<\/p>\n
As part of Major League Baseball\u2019s celebration of America\u2019s 250th, MLB is hosting some of its PLAY BALL events that encourage youth participation at or near iconic American locations. On May 16th, MLB hosted over 100 kids from the Plymouth, MA area for an on-field event. This special event included an educational component and a trip to Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower. MLB is also hosting a PLAY BALL event at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium in Rapid City, SD, on June 3rd, where local participants will visit Mount Rushmore following the event as a lead-in to PLAY BALL Weekend. Then, over the 4th\u00a0of July weekend, MLB is hosting a PLAY BALL event at Growden Memorial Field in Fairbanks, AK.<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
All-Star Week<\/p>\n
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, which will be hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies this summer, is an important part of MLB\u2019s celebration for America\u2019s 250th. The Midsummer Classic returns to the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago, marking the first time Citizens Bank Park will host the event since its opening in 2004 and 50 years since Philadelphia hosted the All-Star Game for the nation\u2019s Bicentennial in 1976. Throughout All-Star Week, the city will serve as the hub for MLB\u2019s national celebration and its service efforts, featuring community-led legacy projects and volunteer activations.<\/p>\n
MLB Together Volunteer Campaign<\/p>\n
During All-Star Week in Philadelphia, MLB Together and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will refurbish the Shane Victorino Club\u2019s facilities and ballfield to provide local youth with improved spaces to play and grow. Approximately 100 volunteers will dedicate hours to MLB Together\u2019s yearlong goal of 250,000. For more information on MLB Together\u2019s season-long initiative and to find volunteer opportunities in your area, visit\u00a0MLBTogether.com\/A250.<\/p>\n
MLB Together in January launched a league-wide volunteer campaign intent on achieving 250,000 collective volunteer hours by the end of 2026 in honor of America\u2019s 250th\u00a0celebration. This MLB Together initiative combines the efforts of the Commissioner\u2019s Office, all 30 MLB Clubs, all 120 Minor League Clubs, players of all levels and MLB\u2019s charitable partners to celebrate the country through community service, connecting baseball as an important part of America\u2019s past, present and future.<\/p>\n
MLB is a partner of America250, the official nonpartisan organization established by Congress to lead the nation\u2019s 250th\u00a0anniversary commemoration. The MLB Together volunteer commitment aligns with America250\u2019s initiative called \u2018America Gives,\u2019 which is designed to make 2026 the largest year of volunteerism in U.S. history.<\/p>\n
American Museum of Natural History exhibit:\u00a0For the Win<\/p>\n
MLB donated select artifacts to the American Museum of Natural History in New York for the museum\u2019s new exhibit,\u00a0For the Win, which showcases the tradition of using precious metals and gemstones to commemorate victory. Baseball awards and mementos on display for the next 18 months as part of this historic collection include a World Series trophy, Home Run Derby chains and select former players\u2019 trophies, such as Yogi Berra\u2019s Babe Ruth Crown, awarded in 1975 for his lifetime batting achievements with the New York Yankees.<\/p>\n
Fan Apparel and Souvenirs<\/p>\n
Licensed apparel and souvenir partners of MLB, such as Outerstuff, Antigua and For Bare Feet, have created commemorative merchandise such as baseball caps, tees, hoodies and shorts with MLB\u2019s custom logo that symbolizes the deep-rooted connection between the United States and the national pastime. Developed for fans of all ages and available at MLBShop.com, the MLB Flagship Store on Avenue of the Americas in New York City, and ballparks around the league, brands including New Era Cap, Stance and College Concepts made these products in conjunction with MLB to showcase the connection between baseball and the country.<\/p>\n
Business Partner Activations<\/p>\n
More than 25 business partners of Major League Baseball are activating around MLB\u2019s celebrations of America\u2019s Semiquincentennial, including national sponsors such as\u00a0Booking.com, Ford, Mark West, Primo Brands and T-Mobile, consumer product licensees and retailers, as well as all national broadcasters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Major League Baseball dropped a long press release on Tuesday afternoon with details on multiple All-Star Weekend events…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":696551,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[558],"tags":[64,63,591,85],"class_list":["post-696550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/696550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=696550"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/696550\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/696551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=696550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=696550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=696550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}