It's midnight my time, so I'm just gonna throw this out there as a half-baked idea for discussion.
What if the Braves did a Future All-Star Day for their prospects sometime in July?
I imagine they pick a Saturday or Sunday when the ATL team is on the road and use STP.
They do a series of family-fun events where the fans get to meet and greet with the players throughout the Battery.
Admission prices cover hot dogs and burgers, but the bars and restaurants are open for those wanting a wider range of options.
Lots of autographs and photo booths, etc.
They do a HR derby, a home-to-home timed competition (I want to know who runs the bases the quickest), etc.
Throw in some fun stuff, like a timed pie eating contest where five or six players each square off against a fan in a contest to see who can eat a cream pie the fastest without using hands...
And to cap it all off, they finish the evening with a 9 inning game and fireworks.
I realize that the minor league players would miss a game (or two) to make this happen. But everyone needs a day off to have fun!
Imagine how fun it would be to see Pache v Acuna, Maitan v Camargo, Rio v Riley, TD v Albies, Jackson v Cumberland, Ray Patrick Didder v Dustin Peterson, etc. filling out two rosters and facing off against Allard, Newcomb, Sims, Fried, Touki, Soroka, etc.
From a marketing standpoint, it's another day STP is open for business. I know that I, personally, would love to attend this event!
I imagine the kids would love to play at STP under the lights, too.
OF: Dustin Peterson, Acuna, RPD, Seymour, Ventura, Pache, with 2 more as subs (whoever had the best stats at that point)
3B: Rio and Riley
SS: Maitan, Cruz, and Camargo
2B: Ozzie, Demerrett, Josephina
1B: Tuiasosopo, Osuna (Cumberland?, Braxton Davidson?)
C: Cumberland, Alex Jackson, Morales, (and one more from Herbert, or Murphy)
SP: Newcomb vs Allard
RP: Sims, Fried, Gohara, Soroka, Anderson, Touki, Weigel, and then a couple of bullpen arms like Akeel, Minter*, Dirks, etc.
Fun times for all! Make it happen Coppy!
