Dash to host 2012 All-Star Game

The best of the California League will take the long trip to Winston-Salem, N.C., next summer when the Dash host the annual California-Carolina All-Star Game.

Winston-Salem was awarded the annual event Friday, marking the first time the city has hosted the game in its current format, which pits the Cal League's All-Stars against the best of the Class A Advanced Carolina League. The game will take place June 19, 2012 and will mark the seventh time Winston-Salem has hosted an All-Star event.

"We are honored and excited to be able to bring this great event back to Winston-Salem," Dash president Geoff Lassiter said. "When we opened BB&T Ballpark, we envisioned bringing major events like this to our city."

Winston hosted the Carolina League All-Star Game at Ernie Shore Field, the team's old ballpark, six times, most recently in 1993. The 19-year gap between All-Star Games in Winston-Salem is the longest in franchise history. The ballpark also will host the Home Run Derby, a fan fest and several other related activities.

"The All-Star Game will be a great treat for fans to see future Major League stars at the best Minor League ballpark in the country," said Lassiter. "We plan on making this event feel every bit as big as a Major League All-Star Game."

The event, which will be played June 21 this year in Modesto, Calif., should draw a big crowd to Winston-Salem, which saw over 6,500 fans attend an exhibition against the White Sox this spring.

"BB&T Ballpark is a tremendous facility and will be a great setting for this game," Carolina League president John Hopkins said. "The Dash organization does everything first-class, from the White Sox exhibition to every regular season game. I have no doubt that the 2012 All-Star Game will feature a big league atmosphere and be a resounding success."

The Dash unveiled the All-Star Game logo as well, a purple star showing the Winston-Salem skyline and the familiar Dash logo. The logo was designed by the Dash's creative services manager, Caleb Pardick.

A smaller 18-point star also has been incorporated into the larger design, representing the 18 combined teams among the game's participants from the California (10 clubs) and Carolina (eight clubs) Leagues. The Dash said the unique star design is a tribute to the Moravian star, a frequent sight around the city stemming from its history with the Protestant group that settled in the area.