At the turn of the 20th century, the citizens of Raleigh gathered on weekends at Moore Square for baseball, BBQ and socializing. On April 18th, MLB Raleigh and the City of Raleigh will partner to bring that tradition back. The day long “Baseball in the Park” event is the collaboration of a dozen local organizations and businesses, including Trophy Brewing, COR Museum and Marbles IMax.

Participate in Raleigh’s first ever ‘Whiffle Ball Home Run Derby’. We’ll have two fields set up with fences, one for adults and one for the kids. Each player will get 5 outs. Every ball that doesn not go over the fence, or does not hit a prize sign is an out. Hit as many over hte fence as you can, but don’t worry, if you’re new to baseball, you can win too. We have prize signs all over the filed for those who don’t want to go for the long ball. Pitchers will be lobbing the ball in really slow, so everyone can have a good time. Sign up below to reserve your spot. Limited ‘saved’ spots available. The rest will be ‘walk-up’. 

Nothing goes better with baseball in the south than some beer and BBQ. We teamed up with the Raleigh legends at Trophy Brewing to re-release ‘Play Ball Pilstner,’ the official beer of the MLB Raleigh movement. On the food side, we are partnering with Long Leaf Swine to re-create the early days of Moore Squre where people at pit-cooked BBQ and watched baseball. Beer and food will be served from 1pm until 8pm.

We’re working with the City of Raleigh Museum to bring you the “History of Baseball in Raleigh’ exhibit at Moore Square. Check out pictures and stories of Raleigh rich baseball past. Whether it be the years as a minor league city (Raleigh Capitals), the popular Raleigh Tigers of the American Negro League, or the Hall of Famers who passed through, there are tons of untold baseball stories to expose.

Cap off the night by throwing out a blanket, sitting on the lawn, relaxing with a drink and some popcorn as Raleigh’s Marbles IMAX rolls out the big screen to show a baseball classis, ‘A League of their Own.’ (PG)

‘A League of their Own’
Starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, Jon Lovitz
As America’s stock of athletic young men is depleted during World War II, a professional all-female baseball league springs up in the Midwest, funded by publicity-hungry candy maker Walter Harvey. Competitive sisters Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and Kit Keller (Lori Petty) spar with each other, scout Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz) and grumpy has-been coach Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) on their way to fame. Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell co-star as two of the sisters’ teammates.

Come out and pick up some MLB Raleigh merchandise, sign the petition to bring MLB to Raleigh, and learn about the movement. We are also planning other events  throughout the day such as Morning Yoga in the Park (free), Baseball Brunch, kid’s activities and so much more. We will be announcing each part of this full day event int eh coming weeks. Can’t wait to see you out there, Raleigh!