Kendrick Gomez, 10, stands before a display honoring Jackie Robinson, the first black player to play in MLB, Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. Gomez wears Robinson’s jersey number 42 on his baseball jersey. His father made him learn about Robinson and his role in baseball history before he could wear “42.” Gomez said it was “hard to believe” he was standing in front of Robinson’s jersey. The number 42 is retired in Major League Baseball in Robinson’s honor. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) Christian Murdock/The Gazette
For children, Major League Baseball’s Play Ball Park offered diamond dreams. But for some adults, it was a great way to share America’s pastime with future generations.
Crowds lined up at the Colorado Convention Center Saturday morning with children waiting to get in a swing at one of several batting cages inside the event. Others stared in awe at a jersey Jackie Robinson jersey wore in a game and the Commissioner’s Trophy, presented each season to the World Series Champions.
Fans wait in line to see The Commissioner’s Trophy which is given to the winner MLB’s World Series Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Kansas City Royals mascot Sluggerrr greets a young fan Friday, July 9, 2021, as he enters Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Rockies mascot Dinger signs autographs Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fans explore the Negro League exhibit Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fans explore the Negro League exhibit Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A young player hits the ball into the field of play Friday, July 9, 2021, while batting at the Center Field booth during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Dave Kime of Littleton tests his bat speed at the performance training area Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Brody Wernsman takes a cut while testing his batting speed in the performance training area Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Rockies history is displayed in the Hall of Fame exhibit Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Ty Cobb’s jersey, left, and other baseball artifacts are on display in the Hall of Fame exhibit Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Elliott Sawyer takes a picture of his son, Jensen, 5, as he sticks to the wall in his Velcro suit at the Home Run Robber booth Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fans enter Play Ball Park Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Kendrick Gomez, 10, stands before a display honoring Jackie Robinson, the first black player to play in MLB, Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. Gomez wears Robinson’s jersey number 42 on his baseball jersey. His father made him learn about Robinson and his role in baseball history before he could wear “42.” Gomez said it was “hard to believe” he was standing in front of Robinson’s jersey. The number 42 is retired in Major League Baseball in Robinson’s honor. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The Wernsman family poses with the Commissioner’s Trophy Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. The trophy is given to the winner of the World Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Hunter Sawyer sticks to the wall with his Velcro suit as he poses for a photo at the Home Run Robber booth Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration, (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Hunter Sawyer takes a picture of his son, Crosby, 5, as he sticks to the wall in his Velcro suit at the Home Run Robber booth Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Baseball legend Bert Campaneris signs an A’s baseball cap for a fan Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. Campaneris was a shortstop for Oakland from 1968-1976. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Local artist Kaylee Bender works on a painting of legend Hank Aaron as a tribute to the Hall of Famer who died earlier this year Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. The painting will be auctioned for charity after she finishes it Tuesday. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Local artist Kaylee Bender works on a painting of legend Hank Aaron as a tribute to the Hall of Famer who died earlier this year Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park at the Colorado Convention Center as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. The painting will be auctioned for charity after she finishes it Tuesday. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The Denver Blue Bear peeks into the Colorado Convention Center with a bat and ball Friday, July 9, 2021, during the opening day of Play Ball Park as part of the MLB All Star Game celebration. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
For Denver resident Matt Botruff, who was joined by his son Jaxen, Play Ball Park was an experience the two never thought they’d see.
“We never thought we’d get another All-Star Game in Colorado, so we couldn’t pass up on this opportunity,” said Botruff, a life-long fan of the game. “We decided to come down and make a show of it and it’s just been awesome so far and has already exceeded all of our expectations.”
Botruff and his son were among several thousand fans who streamed into the convention center for the second day of one of the many events held by the league in conjunction with the 2021 All-Star Game.
The free, family oriented event usually requires two years to prepare and organize. Due to the abrupt removal of the game and weekend from Atlanta earlier this year, organizers had just over 10 weeks to prepare for as many as 100,000 visitors, said Jackie Secaira-Cotto, the league’s director of special events.
“It was a big challenge, but we all worked closely together to pull this all together and that means not just Major League Baseball, but Visit Denver, the City of Denver and the Rockies,” Secaira-Cotto said. “We all really came together to really showcase the city, the fans and the All-Star Game.”
Organizers set up two dozen zones at the convention center showcasing the history and the on-field experience of big league baseball.
Some people waited in line for autographs from former ball players including former Rockies great Vinny Castilla, a two-time All-Star.
Others tried to throw faster or hit a ball harder than their friends, roommates and family members.
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Martin Gonzales took the time to learn about the Negro League, Women in Baseball and got a glimpse of the National Baseball Hall of Fame display with artifacts from Cooperstown, NY.
“Being able to see game-worn jerseys that the players wore and learn about their stories and the impact that certain women have played in the MLB is inspiring,” said Gonzales, who donned a Rockies jersey for the occasion.
Jerseys and caps worn by the crowd represented most of the teams in the league Saturday.
The league’s mascots including the Rockies own Dinger and the Pittsburgh Pirates Captain Jolly Roger greeted visitors.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has pointed to All-Star week as a coming out party for the state after more than a year of restrictions designed to slow the spread of coronavirus.
But reminders of the ongoing pandemic remain. Some fans wore masks. Hand sanitizing stations were installed across the convention center and volunteers handed out sanitizing wipes.
But having an All-Star game, which was put on hiatus in 2020 due to coronavirus is another sign that America is recovering from the pandemic, organizers said.
Secaira-Cotto said it was nice to see people come together for the love of the game.
“Sports are a big part of our lives for the most part, whether were playing them, watching them or its just apart of your every day life, and last year was just a big gaping hole for all of us,” she said. “So, I’m really excited we’re able to come out of our homes and celebrate here.”
Botruff cherished the chance to share his passion for baseball with his son.
“If you would’ve told me we’d be here a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said. “It’s really nice to be back out in public and feel like a community again, but it’s even better that I get to do it with my son.”
