Civil Rights Game events

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Here’s a schedule for Major League Baseball’s Civil Rights Weekend, culminating in Sunday’s Civil Rights game between the Braves and Phillies at Turner Field. Event and single-game ticket pages still are being sold. Go to www.mlb.com/civilrightsgame for more information.

Friday

3 p.m.: Harvard Law School professor Charles Ogletree will moderate a roundtable discussion, “Baseball and the Civil Rights Movement,” at Ebenezer Baptist Church featuring singer Gloria Gaynor, activist Dolores Huerta, Angels principal owner Arte Moreno, National Urban League executive director Marc Morial, MLB vice president of youth and facility development Darrell Miller and Brigadier Gen. Bryan Roberts. It is open to the public. Questions can be emailed to civilrightsgame@mlb.com.

7:35 p.m.: Phillies vs. Braves

Saturday

9 a.m.: The Youth Summit presented by the U.S. Army at Centennial Olympic Park. Kids will be able to interact with major league players and local celebrities. The event is free and will include a parade to Turner Field.

1:10 p.m.: Phillies vs. Braves. Former Negro Leagues players, including James Moore, will be on the field and the teams will play in replicas of their respective cities’ Negro Leagues uniforms. Commemorative videos also will be played. After the game, Ludacris will perform a free concert.

7 p.m.: The Beacon Awards presentation will be held at the Omni Hotel Grand Ballroom. This year’s winners include actor Morgan Freeman (Beacon of Hope), musician Carlos Santana (Beacon of Change) and Hall of Famer Ernie Banks (Beacon of Life). The Rev. Al Sharpton will introduce five “Freedom Riders” civil-rights activists who rode buses into the segregated southern United States to test the Supreme Court decision Boynton v. Virginia. Former Braves great Hank Aaron will receive a special tribute.

Sunday

1:35 p.m.: Fifth Annual Civil Rights game, featuring the Phillies vs. Braves. They will wear throwback uniforms from 1974, when Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home-run record.