The 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game is coming to Burlington on July 25 and 26, where the top players from the Appalachian League will compete in an exhibition game.
The game and other events will be held at the Burlington Athletic Stadium which is home to the Burlington Sock Puppets. On July 25, there will be various events such as a Fan Fest and Skills Competition. The Fan Fest will start at 5:00 pm and feature live music, fire breathers, inflatables, and a full-roster autograph session for fans. The Skills Competition will start at 7:00 pm and showcase the athletic skills of not only the players but fans and coaches. The game itself will be held on July 26 and will start at 7 p.m. Fireworks will be set off both nights following the events held each day.
Burlington Mayor Jim Butler thinks that it is fitting for Burlington to host the event.
"We are extremely proud to be hosting the Appalachian League All-Star game in Burlington," Butler said in a press release. “We are honored to have the opportunity."
Sock Puppets general manager Anderson Rathbun said in a press release that he is excited for the team to host the event, which he believes serves as validation for its rebranding.
"When we launched our rebranded identity last year, we wanted to tell the story of our community but also to have a sports identity that resembles what people will see when they walk through our gates — a sockingly different experience,” Rathbun said in a press release.
The Burlington Sock Puppets were previously known as the Burlington Royals but were rebranded in 2021. The team used to be a Minor League affiliate, however in 2020 it was moved to the Appalachian — which is a summer collegiate baseball league. The league is aimed to bridge the gap between Major League Baseball and USA College Baseball, as well as serve as a developmental pipeline for amateur players. The league is composed of 10 teams located throughout North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.