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| Duane Burleson/Associated Press |
HAMTRAMCK, MICH. — Detroit native Jack White and his Warstic Woodmen will play a sandlot-style baseball game Thursday, July 11 at noon at the former home of the Negro League Detroit Stars, Hamtramck Stadium, to benefit the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium.
White, an avid baseball fan best known for fronting legendary Detroit garage-rock band the White Stripes, is part owner of Warstic, a Dallas-based sporting goods company founded by former professional baseball player Ben Jenkins.
White is currently on tour with his band the Raconteurs and will play a charity match against a local team of "all-stars" to help raise funds for the restoration of Hamtramck Stadium, one of the few remaining major Negro League ballparks in America.
Earlier this year, White kick-started a crowdfunding campaign to help restore the playing field.
With the number-one album in the country this week, White and the Raconteurs will kick off their American tour this weekend with two shows at Detroit's Masonic Temple.
Located near the border of Detroit in the diverse city of Hamtramck, Michigan, Hamtramck Stadium hosted many Negro League legends over the years, including Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Detroit's own Norman "Turkey" Stearnes.
Stearnes' daughters, Joyce Thompson and Rosilyn Brown, will sing the national anthem prior to the game, and Detroit's own Robert Bradley is set to sing his original composition"Born in America" during the seventh-inning stretch.
Former Negro Leaguer Ron Teasley, 92, will throw out the first pitch to former Detroit Tiger and Hamtramck native Ike Blessitt and Stearnes' granddaughter Vanessa Rose will start in center field for the home team.
White will be joined on the field Thursday by Warstic founder and former Philadelphia Phillies farmhand Ben Jenkins, Raconteurs bandmate Brendan Benson, and a host of other friends and bandmates, including Tori Kinsler, whose brother Ian Kinsler played for the Detroit Tigers (2014–2017) and who is part owner of Warstic, along with Jenkins and White.
Admission to Hamtramck Stadium is free. Donations to the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium will be accepted, and Warstic merchandise will also be available for sale to help benefit the Friends and the continued restoration of the playing field.
Fans are encouraged to bring water, sunscreen, and folding chairs.
White will be joined on the field Thursday by Warstic founder and former Philadelphia Phillies farmhand Ben Jenkins, Raconteurs bandmate Brendan Benson, and a host of other friends and bandmates, including Tori Kinsler, whose brother Ian Kinsler played for the Detroit Tigers (2014–2017) and who is part owner of Warstic, along with Jenkins and White.
Admission to Hamtramck Stadium is free. Donations to the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium will be accepted, and Warstic merchandise will also be available for sale to help benefit the Friends and the continued restoration of the playing field.
Fans are encouraged to bring water, sunscreen, and folding chairs.
Historic Hamtramck Stadium is located at 3201 Dan Street, Hamtramck, MI 48212.
For directions to Hamtramck Stadium, click here.
To support the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium, click here.
For more information, click here.
For directions to Hamtramck Stadium, click here.
To support the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium, click here.
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ReplyDeleteThursday 7/11@ noon.
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