The pregame ceremonies began with an introduction to Vanessa Ivy Rose, the granddaughter of Hall of Famer Norman “Turkey” Stearnes and host of the ABC News podcast "Reclaimed: The Forgotten League". The podcast uncovers the stories of Negro League legends, including Turkey Stearnes, and reflects on the league's impact to baseball history. Prior to her ceremonial first pitch, a video of Rose played where she discussed her podcast and how clips from it would play throughout the game during inning breaks.

In partnership with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), the Indians also recognized Chrystal Hines, the Founder and CEO of the Inner Beauty Program in Indianapolis, which provides girls in Marion County with mentoring, counseling and educational programming. The ICRC and Inner Beauty showed a PSA video about anti-discrimination law in Indiana, and Hines threw a ceremonial first pitch.

Prior to the game, Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas read an official proclamation stating that each June 22 would now be recognized as "Oscar Charleston Day" in Indianapolis. Charleston's baseball career began when he worked as a bat boy for the Indianapolis ABC's before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1912 at 16 years old, where he gained experience on the field by joining the 24th Infantry Division's regimental baseball team. After being honorably discharged in 1915, Charleston returned to Indianapolis and signed with his hometown team again - but this time, as a player. Charleston would go on to spend the next 39 years of his life around the baseball diamonds of 14 United States teams and more in Cuba through both playing and managing. The Indy native ended his career while managing the Indianapolis Clowns. Charleston is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, earning him an induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.

To introduce each Negro League legend that the Indians were playing in honor of to the fans, headshots and facts about these players were shown on the board during each inning break. In addition, clips from the "Reclaimed: The Forgotten League" podcast were played in-park on the video board. The Indiana Civil Rights Commission educated fans about their organization and mission at their table in the Center Field Plaza, and Vanessa Ivy Rose held a meet-and-greet throughout the game where fans could engage in conversation with Rose and purchase copies of her book, "Hall of Fame DNA: The Legacy of Norman 'Turkey' Stearnes".

Prior to the game, Rose and Indians staff members tabled at the Madam Walker Legacy Center Block Party to educate attendees about the legacy of the Negro Leagues and the players the Indians were going to represent on the field. Rose also spoke to the team before first pitch to educate them on who they were playing in honor of that night.

The Indians each played in honor of a Negro Leagues player and wore specialty jerseys inspired by the Negro Leagues club, the Indianapolis Clowns, which raised $7,595 total for Indianapolis Indians Charities.