Louisville Slugger Warriors to Play at May 23 Hall of Fame Military Classic

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – The Hall of Fame Military Classic will honor baseball’s timeless connection with the military this Memorial Day Weekend in Cooperstown.

In tribute to this bond, America’s heroes on the battlefield and the diamond are set to team up with former big leaguers for the celebration.

The Louisville Slugger Warriors amputee baseball team will have four representatives on the roster as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum presents the Hall of Fame Military Classic: A Tribute to Service and Sacrifice. The seven-inning legends game will be played May 23 at historic Doubleday Field and feature Hall of Famer managers and coaches along with former big league players.

The Louisville Slugger Warriors are a competitive amputee baseball team that consists of U.S. Military Veterans, Active Duty personnel, Wounded Warriors and current and former amputee college baseball players. They have suffered either loss of limb, partial limb, digits, eye and serious limb deformities. Others have prostheses due to congenital, disease, or trauma-related reasons.

Former outfielder Curtis Pride, who overcame hearing loss during an 11-year career in the major leagues, is a coach for the Warriors and will also participate in the Hall of Fame Military Classic.

“We would like to thank the National Baseball Hall of Fame for including players from our Louisville Slugger Warriors Team in the Hall of Fame Military Classic Game,” said David Van Sleet, general manager of the Warriors. “While serving in the military, these players who have suffered major injuries while defending our country have overcome their disabilities through perseverance and extensive rehabilitation allowing them another chance to play the game of baseball. We look forward to this major event on Memorial Day Weekend in Cooperstown.”

The Louisville Slugger Warriors scheduled to play at the Hall of Fame Military Classic include: Carlo Adame, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class who served three tours in Iraq; Kenny Celeste, a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan; Lonnie Gaudet, a U.S. Army Sergeant who served in Afghanistan; and Derrick Victor, a U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant who served one tour in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. For photos of the four Louisville Slugger Warriors competing at the Hall of Fame Military Classic, please click here.

Hall of Famers Wade Boggs, Rollie Fingers, Todd Helton, Fergie Jenkins, Tony La Russa, Scott Rolen and Joe Torre will participate in the festivities at the Hall of Fame Military Classic, which will also feature more than two dozen former big leaguers and include a pregame home run hitting contest and fun for the entire family.

Fueled by assistance from Major League Baseball, the Hall of Fame Military Classic rosters will feature Nick Ahmed, Jonny Gomes, Danny Graves, Ian Kennedy, Jonathan Lucroy, Josh Reddick, Todd Zeile and Brad Ziegler, with more players announced this spring.

Also participating will be 1981 World Series champion Rick Monday, whose rescue of the American flag at Dodger Stadium in 1976 became a rallying point for the country during that bicentennial year. The flag Monday rescued will be on exhibit at the Hall of Fame from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Military Classic are on sale now online or at 1-888-325-0470 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Memorial Day Weekend in Cooperstown will also feature the Hall of Fame’s popular Night at the Ballpark program. Hall of Fame legends and former players will greet fans throughout Doubleday Field on Saturday, May 23, beginning at 6 p.m., with Hall of Famers participating alongside other former major league stars. While the Night at the Ballpark program is not an autograph session, fans should remember to bring their camera to capture their special memories.

Tickets for Night at the Ballpark are on sale now, priced at $100 each and limited to 12 tickets per order. Click here to reserve tickets.

The Cooperstown Classic Clinic for children aged 7-12 will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 22, at Doubleday Field. Hall of Fame Military Classic participants will lead the Clinic, with registration information available here.

Also as part of the weekend, guests can golf with legends at historic Leatherstocking Golf Course on Otsego Lake. Participants will enjoy an unforgettable day of golf. Individuals, pairs or foursomes of all skill levels are welcome to join the Hall of Fame Memorial Day Weekend Golf Tournament. A Hall of Fame member or former major leaguer will join each foursome and serve as the team captain.

A fundraiser for the Museum, the scramble-format tournament highlights a full lineup of activities for participants during this unforgettable weekend. For more information on supporting the Hall of Fame through this exclusive golf outing, please call 607-547-0310.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has teamed up with Sports Travel and Tours to offer baseball fans a one-stop opportunity to purchase Military Classic Weekend travel packages. For more information or to plan a trip to Cooperstown, please call 1-888-310-HALL (4255). Membership participants receive a 5% discount on all their baseball travel packages.

For more information on Memorial Day Weekend programming, please visit baseballhall.org/hofclassic.