Baseball sluggers to compete at Cashman Field event

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999 | 10:39 a.m.

Members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and anybody else who does business at the Sawyer State Office Building on East Washington Avenue beyond the cozy left-field porch at Cashman Field would be wise to invest in hard hats before the Feb 12. weekend.

The Major League Baseball Players Association has announced that 12 of the game's biggest sluggers -- including home run twins Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa -- will participate in a made-for-TV home run derby at Cashman Field Feb. 12 and 13.

Rossi Ralenkotter, vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority, said the contract between the Players Association and the LVCVA hasn't been signed but that the details should be worked out shortly.

At that time, details, including ticket prices, will be announced.

"We've been negotiating with them for five months," Ralenkotter said. "The concept of the home run derby, along with the ESPN television coverage ... will be a very positive event for Las Vegas, once it is finalized."

Scheduled to join McGwire and Sosa for the "Big League Challenge" charity event are Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Nomar Garciaparra, Shawn Green, Chipper Jones, Rafael Palmeiro, Mike Piazza, Frank Thomas and Greg Vaughn.

As a spokesman for the Players Association indicated, only Babe Ruth couldn't make it. The 12 longball kings have accounted for 3,694 career home runs.

"Never before has baseball had so many great home run hitters playing at the same time," said Judy Heeter, the MLBPA licensing director. "The Big League Challenge will display their awesome power in an up-close and personal way."

The sluggers will be seeded according to their 1999 home run total. The top four from last year (McGwire, Sosa, Griffey and Palmeiro) will receive first-round byes.

ESPN will air the contest as a series beginning in late February. The participants/union are expected to capitalize through sponsorship and licensing deals.