A’s help to Sacramento celebrate the holidays
Nov 27, 2024, 12:32 PM | Updated: 12:32 pm
(Downtown Sacramento)
(Downtown Sacramento)
This story is courtesy of MLB.com
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Before kicking off the inaugural season of their temporary relocation to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento in 2025, the Athletics are utilizing the holidays as an opportunity to integrate into their new community by participating in multiple events throughout the area.
To celebrate the club’s arrival to town at the 16th annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in Old Sacramento, the city has enlisted A’s mascot Stomper to lead this year’s countdown to light the giant tree situated along the waterfront. The event – taking place the day before Thanksgiving on Wednesday – features community favorites such as the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus and Sac Dance Lab and guest speaking moments from elected officials. The tree is artfully decorated by Stage Nine Exhibits using nearly 24,000 lights, 550 icicles, 400 strobes and other specialty lights.
The A’s have also teamed up with Downtown Sacramento to present Free Skate Days this winter at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, which sits just a few blocks away from Sutter Health Park. For three special afternoons on Nov. 30, Dec. 28 and Jan. 18 from noon to 2 p.m. PT, the first 300 people to arrive at the ice rink can skate for free.
“We’ve always known Sacramento is a great sports town with passionate fans, but the welcoming nature of the community has been next level,” A’s president Dave Kaval said in a statement. “We’re excited to offer this free skating experience and look forward to supporting many more events that bring people together across the Greater Sacramento area.”
“The A’s are already investing in the community and their first home game in West Sacramento isn’t until March,” added Michael Ault, executive director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “Let’s welcome Sacramento’s new neighbors by enjoying a free skate session in our A’s gear.”
For more information about the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink, special holiday hours, or to book a group reservation, visit www.DowntownSac.org/icerink. Produced by Downtown Sacramento Partnership, the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink has been a family-friendly tradition since 1991, attracting more than 40,000 skaters annually.
The A’s are planning to partake in several more events throughout the winter in the buildup to their inaugural game at Sutter Health Park, which takes place on Monday, March 31, against the Cubs at 7:05 p.m. PT.
More on A’s baseball in Sacramento
After collecting the final out of the 2024 World Series, Walker Buehler will be in line for a new deal this offseason.
The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander is free to sign with any team following seven years in Southern California, and one club has stated its interest as we inch closer to the MLB Winter Meetings (December 8th).
While speaking to the media at USC’s Sports Business Administration Summit this week, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay relayed that the team had talked to Buehler about a free agent deal.
While the A’s are making it clear that they intend to be competitive in the coming years, the team’s relocation from Oakland to West Sacramento, where they will play the next three seasons in a minor-league stadium, could be an issue for prospective free agent signings.
Read more below:
Upcoming 2024-25 MLB Offseason Dates
- MLB free agency begins the day after the final World Series game
- Players can sign contracts with new teams five days after the final World Series game
- December 8-11th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
- February TBD – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training
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