Saturday evening, an army of zombies was spotted gathering in San Diego’s Children’s Park, getting ready to attack thousands of innocent humans attending 2016 Comic-Con.
I made it out alive. As you’ll see–just barely.
The 2016 San Diego Comic-Con zombie walk featured a huge army of bloodthirsty undead. They gathered in Children’s Park this evening and prepared to attack innocent humans hanging around San Diego’s nearby Gaslamp Quarter. I got away before the carnage began.
I was quickly reminded that I was living meat, so I kept a very careful distance. And I prayed these were slow zombies.The undead kept gravitating toward the city park. Where they came from, I don’t know. They were on a mission. They planned to swarm into the nearby Gaslamp Quarter, where it was dinnertime and they could feast on innocent diners.Many of these walking dead appeared to be in a rather poor state of health. Why did they keep eyeing me?Goodness! Even a magical woodland fairy succumbed to the zombie plague. I’m not sure why I’m hanging around.Oh, horrors! Trump and Hillary have both become zombies! I guess we’re all doomed no matter what.I’ve seen this gruesome dude before. I think I have a photo of him on my blog from another San Diego zombie walk. I guess the undead really never die.This guy could use a moist towelette and very large bandage.How sweet. Mom zombie and son zombie are going to join the coming rampage. Family time together is so heartwarming and wonderful.Unless, of course, Mom zombie takes a bite of her undead son. I guess she couldn’t wait to seek out normal human flesh.This must be the hippest, best dressed zombie I ever saw. A hostess might be tricked and let him into one of those more fancy restaurants in the Gaslamp.When you’re a zombie, and you want to video the coming carnage, what do you do? You jam a GoPro directly into your bloody skull. Just keep the lens clean.I don’t think plastic surgery will fix that.The zombies listened (to the best of their ability) as the plan of attack was laid before them. The city’s living residents seemed completely doomed. I thought it wise at this point to discretely walk away.Oh, no! Too late!
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This is one of the Batmobiles used in the filming of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. It’s on display across Harbor Drive from the convention center at 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.
Here comes yet another batch of cool photos!
2016 San Diego Comic-Con begins tomorrow, and I walked today–Wednesday–all over downtown to see what is rising outside for San Diego’s internationally famous pop culture event!
The answer: tons of cool stuff is popping up!
You might notice in some photos that many fans have arrived in San Diego already. Tonight is Preview Night inside the convention center. And tonight is also the world premiere of Star Trek Beyond, outside beside the water behind the convention center!
(To any of my blog’s readers who aren’t really into Comic-Con, hang on for a few more days! After Sunday, it’s on to other cool sights around San Diego! And as usual, I mostly don’t know what those sights will be! Walking randomly about results in many unexpected adventures!)
Conan O’Brien’s talk show is in San Diego for Comic-Con again. It starts tonight!Hundreds of people were in line early Wednesday morning to watch Conan perform at the Spreckels Theater.Most downtown businesses are now ready for Comic-Con fans. Here’s a window painting of Harley Quinn I spotted at Lolita’s near Petco Park.Various double-decker buses are going around decorated with big flashy wraps. This one promotes Impractical Jokers on the truTV channel.The Interactive Zone at Petco Park was still a work in progress on Wednesday–one day before the official start of 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.These rustic buildings in the Interactive Zone promote Ash vs Evil Dead on STARZ. I was impressed at how detailed and elaborate they appear!Another photo of the Ash vs Evil Dead setting in the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con Interactive Zone at Petco Park.These crane operators were putting up a gruesome banner next to the Suicide Squad movie venue, which remains unseen behind a wall at the Hard Rock Hotel.In the Gaslamp Quarter, Rock The Vote is encouraging people to register. Who would you prefer for president–Snoopy or Charlie Brown?A guy presses Wonder Woman’s feet to the window of a yogurt shop.Perhaps real superheroes will eat this week at Kansas City Barbeque, where scenes from the movie Top Gun were filmed.The Chuck Jones Gallery in the Gaslamp scored some big guests! Stan Lee and William Shatner!Two of the Powerpuff Girls were hovering mid-afternoon above the water at Children’s Park.Looks like a school bus pulled into San Diego from South Park, Colorado. I think I recognize some faces.These smiling ladies were out on the MLK Promenade promoting Hello Kitty!The video screen near the Tin Fish and the center of Comic-Con outdoor action is now operating.Here’s another look at the Batmobile on display near the Omni Hotel. It’s one of several that were used in the filming of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.Okay, I headed over the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge and now I’m near the Bayfront Hilton.A number of promotional signs are arranged along the walkway where thousands of Comic-Con fans will pass in the next four days.FX is present again in 2016 with their show Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll. This is as close as I could approach the big red electric guitar.A huge stage is being built in the park behind the San Diego Convention Center, right in front of the Bayfront Hilton.Looks like IMDb is hosting a Comic-Con party on this big mega yacht behind the convention center!Not much cosplay spotted today, but I did catch a guy with Captain America’s shield waiting in line for some soft serve ice cream!The huge event today, Wednesday, is the world premiere of Star Trek Beyond. It’s taking place tonight right here in San Diego at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Looks like the red carpet was almost ready this afternoon for the world premiere of Star Trek Beyond!I assume this is just some boat owner having fun. I took this photo walking along the Marriott Marina.Entertainment Weekly will debut their unique Con-X tomorrow at Embarcadero Marina Park North. It’s billed as a place for Comic-Con goers to just chill and relax.Looks like Con-X has some huge comic book artist and animation guests. I see Jim Lee and Paul Dini! (Click to enlarge.)This blue guy made of Legos is sitting on a bench inside Con-X. I also spotted the back of a huge Jabba the Hutt sculpture. Wish I could’ve entered the event area. Looks cool!Is it Fire Lad of the Legion of Substitute Superheroes? No. It’s Murrugan the Mystic performing at Seaport Village. That flame is coming from his mouth! You might remember him on AMC’s Freakshow. He’s working to keep the carnival sideshow–an important part of Americana–alive.
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A huge graphic on the Hard Rock Hotel that includes video is nearly ready for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. It promotes the show Incorporated, coming this fall on Syfy.
Check out these photos! Many cool sights outside the convention center are taking shape for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con! I walked around today to see what’s going on. It looks like everyone is quickly getting ready! See for yourself!
The time machine ride which has been set up near the Tin Fish for Timeless is almost ready to go. The fight for all time begins!The Tin Fish has all sorts of Emerald City graphics on it.Emerald City coming to NBC. A new Oz rises.I was a bit surprised to see this area by the Omni Hotel dedicated to Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.A cool little stage has Batmobile schematics for the backdrop. Not sure if a Batmobile will be displayed here… That would be cool!Poster at the Gaslamp trolley station advertises Blindspot. Trust no one.Another poster at the Gaslamp station advertises Midnight, Texas. Only outsiders fit in.The South Park 20 Interactive Fan Experience is slowly being assembled on Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade. It appears lots of classic scenes and characters will be included.A peek at some South Park characters on the grass.South Park The Fractured But Whole is a Ubisoft video game coming out in December.Cartman and his politically incorrect hand puppet.Stan and Kyle of South Park are hanging out in San Diego for Comic-Con!Graphics now adorn Amazon’s Thunderbirds Are Go pavilion.A photo of the unfinished interior of Thunderbirds Are Go at Comic-Con.Amazon’s other pavilion promotes their original series The Man in the High Castle.Like in years past, a big Vikings wrap has been applied to the west wall of Petco Park. I snapped this photo half in shadow, half in bright sunlight.Another huge wrap being applied to a section of Petco Park promotes Once Upon A Time.And another wrap on Petco Park concerns Designated Survivor, a new series on ABC this fall starring Kiefer Sutherland.Not much has been set up yet in the parking lot just east of Petco Park. They’ve got one day to go! Better hurry up!At least somebody got this Ferris wheel up in time!The park in front of the Hilton will feature The Comic-Con HQ Live Stage, FOX Television, and FX. Not much has been erected here yet, either!The Adult Swim play area is nearly completed. It appears much like it did last year.The entrance to Adult Swim’s outdoor venue will look just like last year, if my memory is to be trusted.As you can see, The Strain building wrap on the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel is now finished.Even the Comic-Con hotel buses seem ready! (I got this photo in Mission Valley walking to work.)Finally, some fun comic book art has been painted on the windows of the Hilton’s Starbucks. A giant, menacing Thanos has smashed Captain America! Ouch!Artist puts finishing touches on a sinister Joker. 2016 San Diego Comic-Con is almost here!
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The Statue of Liberty has become a vampire. Either that, or it’s not feeling very well. The Strain building wrap on the Hilton San Diego Bayfront appears more than halfway finished.
What new stuff is being prepared for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con?
Today, like yesterday, I circled all over the downtown and managed to capture a few fun photos that should give Comic-Con fans a little more insight into what’s coming up! Watch out for diseased vampires and aliens! Read the captions!
It’s a good thing these canopies are being erected today for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con and its long lines, because the weather is supposed to warm up a bit later this week.The Conan Live From Comic-Con wrap on the Marriott Marquis hotel is just about done. I’ve seen no graphics yet on Petco Park, the Hard Rock Hotel, or elsewhere.What I referred to as a stage under construction in yesterday’s blog post is actually a small enclosed structure for Amazon’s Thunderbirds Are Go.Private businesses and gathering spots around downtown are just starting to prepare for Comic-Con. I see Fat Man is going to do some standup comedy about Batman.This merchant in the Gaslamp Quarter is betting lots of Comic-Con fans will be on Team Wonder Woman.Good grief! Even a clear skin concoction vendor in the Horton Plaza shopping mall is ready for Comic-Con customers!Lastly, I spotted a very cool venue going up where the Assassin’s Creed obstacle course was the last couple years. This is going to be South Park 20 Interactive Fan Experience! Looks to me like it’s going to be epic!Spread all over the grass, and stacked in crates, an absolutely huge amount of fun artwork is waiting to be installed at the South Park 20 Interactive Fan Experience. A large backdrop is being assembled by workers this very moment.I’ve spotted an alien among those idyllic Rocky Mountain pine trees in South Park!
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A cool Conan O’Brien building wrap is going up on the Marriott Marquis for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, even as the MLB All-Star Game wrap hasn’t been completely removed!
Preparation in downtown San Diego for 2016 Comic-Con has finally begun in earnest today, now that the MLB All-Star Game has concluded. Late this morning I walked all over the place–through the Gaslamp, behind the convention center, down the MLK Promenade, around Petco Park–just to see what might have popped up so far.
Talking to some people, I learned a little bit about what we’ll see outside 2016 San Diego Comic-Con! I learned that Timeless and Thunderbirds Are Go will be a center of attention. So will virtual reality, sponsored by Amazon. And I could see the huge presence of Conan O’Brien with my own eyes!
Of course, the massive undertaking required to prepare for San Diego Comic-Con has barely gotten started. Many more wraps and outdoor activities should begin popping up in the days ahead. I’ll keep a sharp lookout!
Read the photo captions, where I describe what I learned about a couple of venues being built outside Comic-Con…
Next to the Tin Fish, directly across from the convention center, an attraction is being built for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. This will promote the upcoming NBC television series Timeless. It appears to be a huge time machine!It appears to me Comic-Con fans will be able to take a wild spin in a time machine in this Timeless amusement ride.Beyond the construction, I spotted this year’s big new Funko Pop! Conan O’Brien building wrap.Several banners along the trolley tracks promote the newest season of Game of Thrones.Banners along Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade promote Outcast on Cinemax and Vice Principals on HBO.I learned this venue along Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade will have something to do with Amazon’s digital exclusive reboot of an old favorite, Thunderbirds Are Go!Workers get the Thunderbirds Are Go stage ready across Harbor Drive from the San Diego Convention Center.I was told this Amazon pavilion will be the scene of a virtual reality activity. I’m guessing lots of Comic-Con fans will be bumping around inside wearing VR headsets.Like last year, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront will feature a huge The Strain building wrap. This one already looks spooky, even through it’s far from completed.Preparations for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con have finally begun in earnest, now that the MLB All-Star Game has wrapped up!
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Before the official start of the 2016 MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade, team mascots begin down a winding route through downtown San Diego.
Here are some fun photos! I took them before and during the 2016 MLB All-Star Game’s Red Carpet Parade!
The unique pre-game parade took place at noon today. I’m watching the All-Star Game right now, so I’m not going to write much. Read the captions for explanations!
Fredbird of the St. Louis Cardinals heads across Harbor Drive from the Manchester Grand Hyatt.Here comes Dinger of the Colorado Rockies. I first met him about 20 years ago, when we exchanged high fives as he entered a Denver hospital.I see Pittsburgh’s Pirate Parrot, Sluggerrr of the Kansas City Royals, and the “south side” of Southpaw, mascot of the Chicago White Sox!The Padres Pad Squad was on hand and smiling!Sluggerrr poses for the camera while lots of happy people gather around!The beginning part of the parade route was less crowded, so I followed the mascots and enjoyed the fun. Here comes Mr. Met of the New York Mets!A riot of happy baseball mascots in San Diego for the 2016 MLB All-Star Game! Now I spot Florida’s Billy the Marlin!A New York Mets fan in San Diego gets a photo that he’ll cherish forever.Suddenly the parade arrives! Here are the Grand Marshals, Padres legends Dave Winfield and Trevor Hoffman!The first couple vehicles in the parade have passed. I’ve taken position next to the red carpet in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter.It’s Mark Trumbo of the Baltimore Orioles.Here comes Eduardo Nunez of the Minnesota Twins.Being driven down the All-Star Game Red Carpet is Kelvin Herrera of the Kansas City Royals.And here’s Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers.Orbit, the crazy mascot of the Houston Astros, greets Jose Quintana of the Chicago White Sox.Carlos Beltran of the New York Yankees rides down the Red Carpet a few hours prior to the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego.David Ortiz, of the Boston Red Sox, waves to the crowd as he travels down the Red Carpet toward Petco Park. This might be Big Papi’s final All-Star Game.Baseball fans line Fifth Avenue in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. They’re all excited to see today’s greatest Major League players parade on by!Turning the corner at the intersection of Fifth and Island is Marco Estrada of the Toronto Blue Jays.Here’s Aaron Sanchez of the Toronto Blue Jays.Now National League players have begun to head down the Red Carpet. I see Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants.Lots of fans have converged along the parade route to enjoy one of the most popular MLB All-Star Game events in San Diego.It’s Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds.And here is our local baseball hero, Wil Myers of the San Diego Padres!Here comes Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals.Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants passes in front of the William Heath Davis House Museum in San Diego.Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs appears to be enjoying his experience at the All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade!I’ve spotted Thor, or Noah Syndergaard of the New York Mets.And finally, here comes what all the players want. The Commissioner’s Trophy, which will be presented to the team that wins the 2016 World Series!The Red Carpet Parade for MLB’s 2016 All-Star Game in San Diego is over. Now all that’s left to be done is play the big game.Thousands turned out in downtown San Diego today to pay tribute to their favorite Major League Baseball teams and players.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
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The finish at the MLB All-Star 5K Color Run this morning was a crazy scene! Different colored chalk was tossed and blown onto laughing, happy participants.
I walked a bit around downtown this weekend–both yesterday and today. Here are some fun photos that are (mostly) related to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game Week here in San Diego. The whole city seems to have gone into party mode. I’m sorry to say I didn’t get photos of the Soul Pose All-Star Yoga event yesterday. But, as you’ll see, I did stumble upon a number of other events and cool sights!
A young person checks out an All-Star Fanfest decal on the sidewalk behind the San Diego Convention Center. Promotional graphics have been placed in many popular downtown walking spots.Yesterday, Santa was hanging out by a Seaport Village sign that advertises All-Star Game merchandise. He told me he was there to spread smiles. Sounds good to me!These music lovers were heading toward Embarcadero Marina Park South on Saturday. They would enjoy one of the three huge MLB All-Star Concerts!When I walked by on Saturday morning, the San Francisco Giants had the only National League flag flapping wildly at Petco Park. Oh, oh. It’s an even-numbered year. Another omen, possibly…This morning, the All-Star 5K Color Run appeared to be extremely popular. People covered with brightly colored chalk were all over downtown! I caught a bit of the finish near the County Administration Building.Yes, you guessed it. The Color Run is mostly about different colored chalk being launched every which way. Even during the post-race concert! Getting your shirt splashed with color is part of the fun.And then, when you’re done and ready to go home, a couple of air blower guys blast the harmless chalk right off you!Friends posing for a photo on surfboards at Waterfront Park after the MLB All-Star 5K Color Run.This All-Star belongs to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. It’s their Spanish galleon replica, San Salvador. Walking along the water, I spotted it heading out toward the bay’s entrance. I was told she’s out on her 3rd or 4th test run. They’re learning how to steer her with a rudder, just like they did centuries ago! I was also told she bobs up and down like a cork when out on the open ocean!Festive All-Star graphics adorn a large stage on the Broadway Pier. I was told there will be some sort of big Major League Baseball VIP party here.Of course, I had to swing by PLAY BALL PARK once again. There were so many kids out having fun playing baseball this Sunday morning I couldn’t believe it!Right next to Petco Park, every imaginable type of 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game merchandise was for sale. Lots of fans seemed interested.And finally, late this morning about an hour before it officially opened, I strolled down J Street where the All-Star Week Block Party would be held.Pepsi is the main sponsor of the block party, as far as I can tell. They had balloons all over the place.Here’s something you don’t see every day. A guy is putting an All-Star Game cover on a trashcan!Just walking down J Street, adjacent to the Park at the Park, while vendors prepare for the All-Star Game block party.Pink Padres pennants and small All-Star Game commemorative bats are placed on a vendor’s table.Kudos to COX for creating this unique sculpture made of baseballs. It was cool enough that I posted a photo of it on my silly blog!And finally, I spotted a huge All-Star Game banner today near the front door of Alamo Flags in Seaport Village!
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Display cases in San Diego’s Central Library feature cool comic books and original art with a baseball theme! Perfect for both San Diego’s MLB All-Star Game and Comic-Con!
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game and San Diego Comic-Con are taking place at nearly the same time! They are separated by only one week. So a very cool exhibit related to both events has been created in the downtown San Diego library. You can find this exhibit on the first floor, just beyond the lobby.
Lots of baseball-related comic books and original comic artwork is on display, taken from the vast baseball collection of Andy Strasberg, who once was Vice President of Marketing for the San Diego Padres.
It was hard to take photos without reflections on the glass display cases. Seeing these comics in person is so, so much better!
This comic book art will remain on public display through San Diego Comic-Con and long after–until August 26. Since the Central Library is just a couple blocks from the San Diego Convention Center, and across the street from Petco Park, where other fun activities are planned–why not head over to check it out!
Comics Team Up With Baseball. Selections from the collection of Andy Strasberg. On view through August 26.Pages from It Really Happened, 1946.The Amazing Willie Mays, 1954. Famous Funnies Publications.Babe Ruth As I Knew Him, 1948. Dell Publishing.Original artwork for the satirical Motley’s Crew comic strip.The Legend of the Blue Knight, 1997. Jackie Robinson’s 50th Anniversary commemorative comic book.Gil Thorp, 1963. Dell Publishing.A funny Beetle Bailey comic strip, titled Star of The Team.Yogi Berra Baseball Hero, 1951. Fawcett Publications.Richie Rich, Casper and Wendy–National League, 1976. Harvey Publications.Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, 1964. George A. Pflaum.Vintage comic book explains how pitchers apply spin to a baseball, making a ball move differently as it approaches the batter.How the Automatic Umpire Works. Unknown date and publisher.Baseball Facts and Fun Book, 1956. Post Sugar Crisp.Original comic artwork for Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica. Batter On, 1974.A real classic. Tip Top Comics, 1955. United Features.Walt Disney’s Donald Duck, 1978. The baseball flew down his sleeve!One of several Looney Tunes Merrie Melodies baseball comic books on display. Bugs Bunny is about to pitch a tomato to his arch-nemesis Elmer Fudd!Comic book cover features Bugs Bunny angrily calling a baseball umpire out!Even when at bat, Bugs Bunny likes to chomp on his carrot. What’s up, doc?Bugs Bunny’s ears nimbly catch a pitched ball! Elmer Fudd is not amused.
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One brief moment in a 63 second video that relives MLB All-Star Game history, seen in the San Diego library’s auditorium during today’s special “Talking Baseball” event!
A very cool event was held today, Saturday, at downtown San Diego’s beautiful Central Library! “Talking Baseball” was the title an all-day program held in the Neil Morgan Auditorium, and featured diverse speakers and entertainers celebrating baseball and its rich history. Speakers included Bob Kendrick, Negro League Baseball Museum president and Gene Locklear, former Padres outfielder, who talked about his life as a Native American professional baseball player.
Talking Baseball was organized by Andy Strasberg, who served for twenty years as the Padres baseball team’s Vice President of Marketing. This cool event was held in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game Week, which is taking place right here and now in San Diego!
I lingered and enjoyed the programming for about an hour and a half. I listened to the hilarious and heart-warming tunes of San Diego baseball singer/songwriter Joe Rathburn, then watched a rarely seen 63 second video that was shown on the scoreboard during the 1992 All-Star Game in San Diego. Every second represented one year of 63 All-Star Games. This was the first time the video has been seen in 26 years! Finally, I watched with amazement as former Yankees catcher Matt Nokes narrated a film that showed every pitch of Jim Abbott’s 1993 Yankees no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians. Now that was inspirational . . . and just plain exciting! That was easily the highlight of my day!
Here are a few captioned photographs that provide a taste of this very cool event. Some photos, taken in the dark auditorium, came out a bit blurry.
Talking Baseball was a special event programmed to coincide with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego this year. It was held in the downtown library.Just before stepping into the Neil Morgan Auditorium, visitors are greeted with lots of cool posters and professional baseball memorabilia!A huge collection of baseball memorabilia on display was courtesy of Andy Strasberg, who was once Vice President of Marketing for the San Diego Padres.There were so many cool baseball sights to absorb! Displayed were old magazines, programs, autographed baseballs, pennants, baseball cards, souvenir bats–you name it.Collectibles remember New York Yankee reliever Sparky Lyle and San Diego’s own superhuman Wizard of Oz shortstop, Ozzie Smith!Cool old team photograph of the 1952 San Diego Padres, with the players’ names and autographs!San Diego’s gifted baseball musician and songwriter Joe Rathburn performs. His lyrics are really good and touch a warm spot in the heart.Next, a 63 second video that was last played at the 1992 All-Star Game shows the history of the Midsummer Classic. One second equals one year!Matt Nokes, former catcher for the New York Yankees, narrates a special video which documents–pitch by pitch– Jim Abbott’s 1993 Yankees no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians.Jim Abbott was born in 1967 without a right hand. That didn’t stop him from becoming an accomplished professional baseball pitcher. He spent 10 years in the major leagues.Suspense builds as pitch by pitch, inning by inning, Jim Abbott works his way brilliantly (with some sparkling Yankees defense) toward a rare no-hitter.The amazing no-hitter is achieved! Jim Abbott’s teammates swarm around the triumphant pitcher with excitement. At the time, this was only the Yankees’ 8th ever no-hitter.Jim Abbott overcomes a difficult physical challenge and great odds, adding his name to a list of baseball’s immortals. Today he is a motivational speaker.
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Baseball-loving kids converged today on PLAY BALL PARK in front of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. They would enjoy a very special activity during Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game Week!
Do you want to know what baseball is all about? Take a look at these joyful photos!
The very first activity during Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game Week is a fun, multi-day event at PLAY BALL PARK. Today was the first day! Young baseball players get to swing the bat in a tiny baseball field which has been created in the public park between the Hilton Bayfront and the San Diego Convention Center.
This evening, after work, I headed down to see what I might see. Wow! Here are photos of the opening ceremony of the All-Star Youth Classic, and just lots of pics of kids having a blast playing softball. The entire event is meant to encourage physical outdoor activity. Playing with a real bat and ball on green mown grass is much more fun and invigorating than a mind-numbing video game! And it makes a kid happy and healthy!
Please read the photo captions where I provide a little more info…
A small baseball field has been created in the grassy park between the Hilton Bayfront and the San Diego Convention Center. Here kids from around the country and nearby Tijuana, Mexico will compete in the All-Star Youth Classic!Several representatives from USA Baseball were on hand to provide instruction to the youth teams selected to compete and have fun at PLAY BALL PARK!The teams had assembled on Thursday in the late afternoon, and the bleachers were full of enthusiastic players and fans!These guys are the Memphis Redbirds. Teams have come in from as far away as Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Rhode Island and Queens, NY. Several teams are from San Diego and two teams drove up from Tijuana, Mexico!The brief opening ceremony of the All-Star Youth Classic at PLAY BALL PARK included speeches by representatives from Major League Baseball and our own San Diego Padres.Organizations who helped make this fun activity a reality were recognized, including USA Baseball, USA Softball, The Positive Coaching Alliance, The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of America.Each of the participating youth teams was recognized.One of the teams from Tijuana, Mexico salutes the crowd by removing their caps.The opening ceremony and introductions are over. Time for the teams to take the field and experience a short but fun baseball clinic!A great swing and a hit. Home runs were rare and received enthusiastic applause. Some powerful line drive homers were struck by both boys and girls.A wild convergence on the field as kids vie to catch a fly ball!Another fly ball! Having fun outdoors and being physically active is what this event is really all about.Just a whole lot of youthful energy in front of the Hilton Bayfront at PLAY BALL PARK!Teams were posing for photos all over the grassy park. These kids are on the San Diego Military team.A batting cage was also very active during the baseball clinic.Lots of whiffle balls have been hit past the pitcher in the batting cage!This kid nailed the strike zone with a great pitch. Everyone was having fun and simply enjoying good old baseball. It’s summer. It’s America’s Pastime. What else does anyone need?
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