Birmingham, AL – Rickwood Field, the oldest ballpark in the United States, hosted a star-studded celebration on June 19th as part of “Barnstorm Birmingham,” a Juneteenth event featuring the UNINTERRUPTED Fam Jam celebrity softball contest. Baseball legends Barry Bonds and Derek Jeter served as honorary captains for this exciting event. The coaching staff for the two teams, SAY HEYS and THE HAMMERS, named in honor of Alabama-born Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, included an impressive lineup of former MLB stars and entertainers. David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez, Jimmy Rollins, Dontrelle Willis, Adam Jones, LaTroy Hawkins, Dexter Fowler, Michael Bourn, and Micah Johnson were among the former MLB stars who took on coaching roles. They were joined by entertainment figures such as actor and radio host Rickey Smiley, rapper Tee Grizzley, and comedian Bubba Dub.
The event, brought to fans by Major League Baseball and UNINTERRUPTED, the athlete storytelling brand founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, featured a diverse roster of participants. Celebrities like boxing champion Alycia Baumgardner, founder of HighlightHER Ari Chambers, six-time MLB All-Star CC Sabathia, Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, comedian and actor DC Young Fly, former Pro Bowl WR Dez Bryant, Grammy-nominated artist Dreezy, Pro Football Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney, Grammy-nominated artists Earthgang, platinum recording artist EST Gee, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe, NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, former NBA All-Star Joe Johnson, former NBA champion JR Smith, music executive Karen Civil, actor and comedian Kel Mitchell, comedian and actor Lil Rel Howery, former NBA champion Matt Barnes, MMA and UFC champion Max Holloway, Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris, actor Omari Hardwick, comedian, actor, and author Phoebe Robinson, actor and comedian Robin Thede, comedian and Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr., former World Series champion Ryan Howard, comedian and actor Sam Jay, former NBA champion Stephen Jackson, and football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens took the field for the game.
The game, which aired on MLB Network on June 20th at 1:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT, followed unique rules where the final score was determined by innings won rather than total runs. Each inning’s winner was awarded one point, with the final inning awarding two points. In the event of a tie after five innings, a sudden-death inning decided the victor. Fans participated in making calls on close plays, adding an interactive and engaging element to the event.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Douglas Craig Emhoff, was also present at the event, underscoring the celebration’s significance and drawing further attention to the historical importance of Juneteenth. Following the game, global music superstar Metro Boomin performed, providing a memorable conclusion to the festivities. Tickets were available for $24, and the event successfully attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic fans.
“Barnstorm Birmingham” included the MiLB at Rickwood game on June 18th and MLB at Rickwood on June 20th. These events honored the legacy of the Negro Leagues and their players, with select free tickets available for local youth and community groups in collaboration with the City of Birmingham. Barnstorming was a vital part of Negro Leagues baseball, with teams traveling to various communities to showcase their talent and promote the sport. More information about these events can be found at MLB.com/rickwood.
UNINTERRUPTED, part of The SpringHill Company, is an award-winning athlete storytelling brand founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter. It aims to celebrate the humanity in sports through culturally connected content, experiences, and products. For more information, visit UNINTERRUPTED and follow @UNINTERRUPTED on social media.
Video Credit to Shasta Jones
