All-Star Futures Game to have distinctly MiLB flair

Ballpark dogs, mascots and more: 25th anniversary goes big on fun

By Manny Randhawa

July 12, 2024

The All-Star Futures Game is the biggest stage on which top prospects from around the Minor Leagues have the opportunity to demonstrate their talent and give us a glimpse of baseball’s future. It has been played annually each summer since 1999. But this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday

The All-Star Futures Game is the biggest stage on which top prospects from around the Minor Leagues have the opportunity to demonstrate their talent and give us a glimpse of baseball’s future.

It has been played annually each summer since 1999. But this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday at Globe Life Field in Arlington at 4 p.m. ET and will air live on MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com and the MLB app, will have a distinctly different flavor -- for the first time, the game will be infused with the fun promotions and family-friendly entertainment that are staples of Minor League games across the country.

After all, while the Futures Game takes place in a Major League ballpark as part of All-Star Week festivities, the participants are currently Minor Leaguers.

Here are some of the ways fans in attendance will not only be able to see the future of MLB on display, but also enjoy an atmosphere with the authentic feel of a Minor League game:

Ballpark dogs

No, not ballpark hot dogs -- although you’ll certainly be able to get some of those. We’re talking actual dogs, as in a pair of Minor League ballpark dogs.

Dizzy, an English Cream Golden Retriever who serves as a ballpark dog for the Arkansas Travelers (Double-A affiliate of the Mariners) and Brooks, a half-Lab/half-Golden Retriever who is a ballpark dog for the Frisco RoughRiders (Double-A affiliate of the Rangers), will be on hand doing what they do best -- chasing baseballs, getting belly rubs on the concourse and being good boys.

I always look forward to running the bases :)@raisingcanes pic.twitter.com/VZqSgT6Ezx
— Brooks (@RidersBrooks) July 9, 2024

Mascots galore

The Minor League experience is not complete -- and, really, can’t even get started -- without the mascots. And there will be several at Globe Life Field for the Futures Game.

Hornsby of the Tulsa Drillers (Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate), Orion of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros’ Triple-A affiliate), Otey the Swamp Possum of the Arkansas Travelers (Mariners’ Double-A affiliate), Deuce and Bull Moose of the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers’ Double-A affiliate) and Spike of the Round Rock Express (Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate) will be on the field for pregame introductions.

OTEY is at Boo at the Zoo tonight! Can you spot him? @LittleRockZoo #artravs #BooattheZoo pic.twitter.com/pmqUeFEeVJ
— Arkansas Travelers (@ARTravs) October 22, 2017

Capping it off

For the first time, each prospect invited to the Futures Game will wear the cap of his current Minor League team.

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Fun between innings

In addition to the Ballpark Dogs Spotlight, there will be Minor League-flavored entertainment during several other inning breaks. Promotions from nearby Minor League clubs, including Tulsa and Round Rock, will take the big stage for the Arlington crowd to enjoy.

Copa de la Diversión

As part of MiLB’s Copa de la Diversión promotion, the San Antonio Missions’ alternate identity, the “Flying Chanclas,” as well as Mamapeno, the mother of the Missions’ main mascot, Ballapeno, will be featured on the Globe Life Field video board.

Copa is a season-long event series designed to embrace the culture and values of Hispanic communities throughout Minor League Baseball.

Futures Game