The Battle for The Real Big State Charity Alumni Baseball game will be returning for its second year on August 24, 2024 at 6:30pm at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton Roads. War Memorial Stadium is home to the Peninsula Pilots, a summer league team organized in the Coastal Plains League featuring some of the top baseball players in the country. The event is Organized by Matthew Boone with MG Studios LLC., Mike Liburd Burds Eye View, and Roger Hall, III. All proceeds from the game will benefit the athletic baseball programs of Norfolk State University and Virginia State University.
The inaugural Battle for The Real Big State took place in 2023 at Shepherd Stadium along with a very successful live stream with over 1,700 live viewers from all over the country with a "tv like" viewing. This year’s event will feature some additions of alumni from Norfolk State University facing off against Virginia State University Alumni in a nine-inning baseball game. Last year, Virginia Sate Alumni took home the belt with a back and forth competitive game with a final score of 17-14.
“We were overwhelmed by the support for the first Battle for The Real Big State,” said Matthew Boone, Owner of MG Studios LLC. “The opportunity to bring together alumni and fans to support the next generation of student athletes made it an easy decision to make this an annual event. Last year players were asking us for year two as soon as the game finished while everyone was coming together to take pictures, talk a little smack with each other, and of course Virginia State showing off the championship belt. That'll change next year though.”
The pre-game festivities will include appearances by former Negro League players, including Sam Allen, who will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, with more pre-game festivities to be announced. Last year's game created a great impact in fundraising, small business vendor activation/sales, tourism in the Petersburgh region, and more. With a 2023 attendance of over 776 baseball fans, attendance is expected to grow.
This game will hold as a prelude to the Labor Day Classic, an annual matchup of the football teams between Norfolk State University and Virginia State University. Gates open at 5:30pm, with the first pitch at 6:30pm. Pre-sale tickets go on sale June 28 at 9am and will cap at 100 tickets for the pre-sale only, so save the date in your calendar to catch the pre-sale. All children under 10 get in free. The first 50 students from Norfolk Sate University or Virginia State University will get in free as well.
In addition to ticket sales, the event will feature opportunities to donate directly to the athletic programs, as well as a silent auction for sports memorabilia and experiences. Local food trucks and craft beverage options will also be on site. Sponsorships are rolling in with 14 sponsors.
The Battle for The Real Big State is presented by MG Studios LLC., BurdsEyeView, and Roger Hall, III. Pre-sale tickets will go on sale June 28 at 8am and will cap at 100 tickets. For more information, visit www.battleforbigstate.com or follow @battleforbigstate on social media
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