Tacoma Gets 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game

Minor League Baseball announced on Thursday that Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium will play host to next year’s Triple-A all-star game, which will be played on July 12. This year’s version will be played at Charlotte’s BB&T Ballpark on July 13.

Next year’s game will mark the 30th anniversary of the interleague midsummer classic.

“The growth we’ve had over the past nine seasons is because the fans–and the market in general–have so graciously returned to Cheney Stadium to support this franchise,” Rainiers president Aaron Artman said in a statement. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this growth and support than to bring the Triple-A All-Star Game to Tacoma for the first time in franchise history. It will be a huge showcase for not just Cheney Stadium and the Rainiers, but for the entire region, and we’re excited to show it off.”

Tacoma drew a little more than 352,000 fans last year, and averaged just less than 5,000 fans per game.

“The Tacoma Rainiers organization and the city of Tacoma will be tremendous hosts for one of Minor League Baseball’s premier events,” Minor League Baseball president Pat O’Conner said. “Cheney Stadium underwent a historic transformation after the 2010 season and the Triple-A All-Star Game will give a national audience a chance to see this gem of a ballpark in the Pacific Northwest.”

The Rainiers rebranded themselves before last season, including new logos and uniforms, which gave its merchandise sales a major boost.

“Having the Rainiers host the all-star game is a chance for fans throughout the area to see all the best Triple-A players in the game in one spot,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “It’s also a great opportunity for fans around the country to see beautiful Cheney Stadium on TV and for all of Minor League Baseball to discover what we already know: That the people and staff of Tacoma do a tremendous job.”