CLEVELAND — The excitement is building in Cleveland ahead of the 2019 All-Star Game. There’s a lot to know, from parking restrictions and road closures to what not to bring into the game to all the fun activities to squeeze into your schedule leading up to and surrounding the All-Star Game.
Road closures
From June 28 to Wednesday, July 10, Lakeside Avenue and St. Clair Avenue from East 6th Street to Ontario Street will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic because of Play Ball Park.
Vehicular traffic—In order to get to East 9th Street to Ontario Street, drivers can go north on East 9th Street to Route 2 west and exit Route 2 west at West 3rd Street. Those attempting to drive between Ontario and East 9th streets should head north on West 3rd Street to Route 2 east and take the East 9th Street exit north.
Pedestrian traffic—
- Lakeside Avenue Westbound Pedestrian Detour: Pedestrians that are heading west on Lakeside Avenue to the Courthouse and the Justice Center will be directed to detour southbound on East 6th Street to the South sidewalk on St. Clair; westbound on St. Clair toward Ontario Street; and then northbound on Ontario Street to the Courthouse.
- Lakeside Avenue Eastbound Pedestrian Detour: Pedestrians heading eastbound on Lakeside Avenue toward City Hall and Willard Garage will be directed along the detour by heading south on Ontario street to the south sidewalk of St Clair; eastbound on St. Clair to East 6th Street; and then north on East 6th Street to Lakeside Avenue.
- Pedestrian Detour Signage: Attached are images of detour signs directing pedestrians through the detours both eastbound on Lakeside from the Court House and westbound on Lakeside Avenue to the Courthouse.
The City will place Sidewalk Closed Ahead signs at East 6th and Ontario on Lakeside Avenue and direct pedestrians toward the detour.
Public Transportation
Because Cleveland is a walkable city, those coming to downtown for the All-Star Game festivities are asked to use public transportation.
RTA— Park for free at any rail stations and use the red, blue and green lines, which will all operate an hour after the games end.
Ride Share and taxi locations— Progressive Field at Erie Court and Play Ball Park at West 3rd Street between Frankfurt and Summit.
Discount Uber rides—Progressive is turning get free rides for the All-Star Game into a scavenger hunt. The insurance company has teamed up with Uber to offer discounted rides on July 8 and 9. All you have to do is find a Flo look-a-like to get $10 off your Uber.
Parking
It's going to be tight. Some of your options are available here.
Counterfeit Tickets and merchandise
The FBI is working undercover in partnership with local law enforcement to prevent visitors from falling victim to counterfeit products.
The FBI has some tips when buying merchandise before coming or at the ballpark:
- All MLB merchandise is required to have a holographic sticker. Each one is different, with no two numbers being the same.
- All stickers will have raised red stitching, inluding an MLB logo.
- If the quality is substandard, don't buy it.
- There are no printed tickets for All-Star Week
- If consumers have questions about the authenticity of merchandise, they can feel free to call the CAPS toll free hot line (800) TEL-CAPS (835-2277).
- Shop at MLB.com, the official site of the MLB rather than buying from street vendors, flea markets or other questionable sources.
RELATED: Your unofficial All-Star Game visitor's guide
Restricted items inside the Ballpark
Anyone with a ticket/credentials will be allowed access into the All-Star Game Venue. Those entering the venue will be subject to a security screening.
As a reminder, the following items are prohibited into the All-Star Game:
· Action Sports Equipment including but not limited to skateboards, roller blades, scooters and roller skates
· Aerosol Cans (i.e. hairspray, mace, etc.)
· Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs
· Animals (except certified service animals)
· Backpacks and bags that exceed 16" x 16" x 8"
· Baseball bats or Clubs
· Beach Balls and other Inflatable items
· Brooms
· Butterfly Nets or any other kind of net that could interfere with play on the field
· Cameras with telephoto lenses or lenses larger than 100mm
· Cans, Glass, Squeeze Bottles, and Thermos Bottles
· Chewing Tobacco
· Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles
· Electronic Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, Vapor Cigarettes, or any device that mimics smoking
· Hard Sided Coolers
· Laser pens and Laser pointers
· Noisemaking devices (i.e. air horns, cowbells, etc.)
· Outside Food and Beverage
· Poles and/or sticks
· Toy guns or knives (including water guns)
· Weapons (including, without limitation, pocket knives, blades), firearms, fireworks and other illegal substances
· Wrapped presents or Gifts
· Any item or action deemed to be a threat to public safety.
How to watch the All-Star Game
All Star Futures Game—Sunday, July 7 at 7 p.m. on the MLB Network.
Home Run Derby—Monday, July 8 at 8 p.m. on the ESPN, ESPN Radio.
All-Star Game—Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. on Fox TV and ESPN Radio.
Music Mania—Twenty One Pilots and The Killers
While All-Star Week is all about baseball, let's not forget about two big names in music coming to The Land. Multi-platinum recording artists Twenty One Pilots and The Killers are performing at free outdoor concerts on Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6 in Mall B outside the Huntington Convention Center. Fans can start lining up the tickets on St. Clair Avenue at 4 p.m. Due to high demand, tickets went fast when they went on sale on June 5. All tickets are sold out as of July 2, so your best bet is to listen from afar. More info here.
Cleveland’s own Welshly Arms will be performing right before the first pitch of the Celebrity Softball Game at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 7, and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Joan Jett & The Blackhearts will be performing a special set Sunday night after the SiruisXM All-Star Futures Game. More info here.
All-Star Week activities
On Friday, Play Ball Park opens at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and The Malls – it is the largest indoor/outdoor interactive baseball theme park in the world and features over 40 attractions in 600,000 square feet. There's a 5K Color Run and an MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game and All-Star Futures Doubleheader at Progressive Field.
All the details, including times and locations for every event happening throughout All-Star Week can be found here.
The All-Star Game Roster
Indians first baseman Carlos Santana got a starting position on the American League Team for the game. MLB also announced Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and closer Brad Hand made the cut. In addition to the three Indians players making the All-Star team, Santana will also be competing in the Home Run Derby the day before, giving the Indians plenty of representation at their home ballpark.
MLB Celebrity All-Star Game Roster
J.R. Smith, Drew Carey, Stipe Miocic, Travis Kelce and Dr. Oz are just some of the Clevelanders playing the softball game. Indians legends Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton, and Carlos Baerga will also take the field for the game. Former Indians Mike Napoli and Travis Hafner are also scheduled to appear. More info here.
