The All-Star entertainers and first-pitch-throwers are announced

This is news you can use: pregame ceremonies and entertainers and stuff for the All-Star Game, the Home Run Derby and the Future’s Game:

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Ciara will sing the U.S. National Anthem and Leo Welsh will perform the Canadian Anthem as part of the pregame ceremony prior to the All-Star Game . . . multi-platinum-selling MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner will sing “God Bless America.”

I am not sure if I should be ashamed or pleased that I do not know who these people are. Well, I learned who Ciara was yesterday because there was some weird nonsense about her and Russell Wilson in the news, but I couldn’t pick her out of a lineup I don’t think. If you held a gun to my head I’d have told you that Josh Turner was a righty relief prospect in, I dunno, the Rockies organization.

Following the U.S. National Anthem, the U.S. Navy will conduct a flyover featuring four FA-18 Super Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Remember kids, this could be advertising!

One of the “Greatest Living Players” will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch.

That’s from that “Franchise Four” thing, part of which involved fans voting for the four “Greatest Living Players.” The last time voting results were revealed, the four leaders were Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax and Tom Seaver. As we discussed at the time, two of them have a good argument for Greatest Living Player, Seaver has an argument for Greatest Living Pitcher perhaps and Koufax is, I’m sure a nice fellow who would be interesting to talk to. I figure Mays REALLY is the Greatest Living Player, but I’d love for MLB to troll everyone and have Barry Bonds do it. That would mean that Great American Ballpark would have, like, 40,000 angry people + me laughing my head off.

Before the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, teenager Marlana VanHoose will sing the U.S. National Anthem and Reds legend and three-time Home Run Derby Champion Ken Griffey Jr. will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch.

There are first pitches before a Home Run Derby? Ok! Also, I hope that, after Griffey tosses out that pitch, Marty Brennaman rips into him for dogging it out there. I miss the early-to-mid 2000s sometimes and it’d be fun the relive them.

Prior to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, July 12^th the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Brass Ensemble will treat fans to a special rendition of the U.S. National Anthem. Later, The Mistics will perform “God Bless America.”

First time I read that I thought it said “The Misfits” will perform “God Bless America.” No offense to The Mistics, but that would be way cooler.

Anyway, now you know what will be happening while you get beer, go to the bathroom and talk to your friends while waiting for the actual action to start.