Near Season Midpoint, Upcoming All-Star Game Festivities Highlight Week for the MLB Partner League
MOORHEAD, Minn., July 9, 2026 – Fans selected the final two additions to next week’s American Association of Professional Baseball (@AA_Baseball) All-Star Game, with the “Last Men In” picks of Connor Bagnieski, outfielder for the Lincoln Saltdogs, and Ethan Wilder, infielder for the Chicago Dogs. All AAPB games are as always available free for live viewing on AABaseball.tv.
Here are 10 (or so) Things to Know about the AAPB this week:
- The full rosters are now set for the American Association All-Star Game, set for Wednesday, July 15 at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Neb. The game will be broadcasted LIVE on MLB Network as well as the Unbeaten Channel and AABaseball.tv., beginning at 8:30 p.m.. ET/7:30 p.m. CT.
- The game is the culmination of a three-day extravaganza celebrating the AAPB and all things baseball, which includes:
- Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. CT: All-Star Youth Clinic, for kids ages 6-14 (free Tshirt and GA ticket to the All-Star Game), limited to 50 participants (Registration is full)
- Tuesday, 5 p.m.: AAPB Hall of Fame Banquet & Social
- Wednesday, 5 p.m., Home Run Derby sponsored by Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company
- Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., All-Star Game presented by Carbliss
- Wednesday, 10:30 p.m., Post-Game Fireworks presented by Pepsi Cola of Lincoln and Bubbl’r
- Mike Hallquist, who slashed .312/.339/.605 for the Milkmen in 39 games to start the season, homered in his first at bat with the South Bend Cubs of the Midwest League.
- Lake Country continues its alter-ego alternative identity as the Wisconsin Dive Bars tonight, wrapping up a three-game run in the specialty jerseys featuring the names of 150 local bars from across the state.
- It was a short stint for Grant Gambrell in his second season with the Monarchs and now he returns to the team that drafted him as the Kansas City Royals picked up his contract on Thursday.
- Fargo-Moorhead slugger José Sermo and Lake Country’s Joshua Mears are now tied for the AAPB home run lead with 17, with Sermo’s grand slam last night and two-run shot on Tuesday against Sioux City and Mears’ two-homer effort on Wednesday vs. Kane County evening the race. Mears has a one-RBI edge over his F-M counterpart, 47-46.
- Sermo now has 158 career American Association home runs, trailing Sioux City’s Jabari Henry, the all-time leader with 166.
- Bobblehead collectors will love the Sioux Falls Canaries’ new offerings, which include some non-baseball playing favorites like the bespectacled “Harry Canary,” frozen pole licking “Triple Dog Dare You” and “Prison Mike,” among others, in an online-only sale through July 23 at sfcanaries.shop.
- The Kansas City Monarchs and Kansas Speedway Hollywood Casino have teamed with Mix93.3 FM on a promotion in which fans can win a Top Gun Night experience on Friday at Legends Field.
- Kyle Lindquist last appeared in a professional game in 2013, when he came out of the Gary SouthShore Railcats pen 32 times to a 2.17 ERA. This week he joined the University of South Carolina baseball program as defensive coordinator and infield coach.
- Media interest in AAPB remains strong. Some of the recent articles on teams include:
- Numerous outlets including the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Green Bay Press-Gazette and The Northwestern noted the first pitching appearance of former Milkmen standout Bryan Torres, who has four home runs in his “day job” as Cardinals utilityman. Torres tossed two scoreless, hitless innings of relief in a bullpen-saving effort.
- The Crescent-News noted the ASG selections of local Napoleon, Ohio, products Art Warren and Zach Willeman.
- The Argus Leader is impressed with the family-friendly atmosphere the Sioux Falls Canaries project year after year.
- Blue Jays Nation chronicled the road of former Milwaukee Milkmen reliever Blake Purnell (‘24-25) to the Toronto organization.
- WISN-TV was on hand as the DockHounds became the Wisconsin Dive Bars.
- Stadium and Arena Event Visits took a trip to Oconomowoc to take in a DockHounds vs. Milkmen game.
- The Denver Post chronicled Julian Garcia’s rise to the Cincinnati Reds, which included a standout run with the Monarchs in ‘24 and ‘25. He has recorded a 1.93 ERA in six games in the Big Leagues this year.
- KIBZ 104.1 The Blaze was all over the selection of Connor Bagnieski as “Last Man In” to the All-Star Game.
- KSCJ in Sioux City noted the selection of former Explorer Nate Samson to the AAPB Hall of Fame.
- Meanwhile, KFOR was partial to its local Hall inductees Jim Abel and Nate Samson in its piece.
- A few team promotions of note are:
- Hallmark Channel isn’t the only purveyor of Christmas fare in July… the Kane County Cougars are on board for some “Ho-Ho-Ho” on Saturday, with the first 1,500 fans receiving a Bumble the Abominable Snowman bobblehead voucher presented by The Pride Stores.
- Fargo-Moorhead hosts Comic Book Night on Saturday vs. Cleburne. Fans can win tickets to the new “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” film & dress up as Spider-Man for a chance to win other prizes.
- The second Woodchippers Night brings the RedHawks alternate identity to Newman Outdoor Field on Friday
- Kansas City hosts “Princess Night + Girl Scout Campout Night” on Saturday with various princess and pirates in attendance for picture opportunities.
- Siouxland has caught the Pickleball craze, and the first 500 fans at the X’s game on Saturday will receive a Pickleball paddle sponsored by Pepsi Cola of Siouxland, with the opportunity for fans to test their new toy during the game on a court.
- Winnipeg celebrates a craze from another era with Boy Band Night, themed music through the years and more on Friday.
About the American Association
The American Association of Professional Baseball (www.aabaseball.com) and (www.aabaseball.tv) is a Major League Baseball Partner League that operates in nine states and one Canadian province. Formed in 2006, the league consists of twelve member clubs with many beginning play in 1993. Through the 2025 season, 483 player contracts have been transferred to MLB organizations. In addition, 60 AAPB alumni have reached the Majors, including 17 participating in 2025.
– AAPB –
Contact:
Joe Favorito, joefavorito2@gmail.com, 917-566-8345
Jerry Milani, jerry@jerrymilani.com, 917-797-5663
