DATE: JULY 17, 2025
JULY HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Hall of Famers and other baseball legends will throw out the first pitch for the 2025 Babe Ruth World Series for 14-year-olds on August 8 as the Eighth Hot Springs Baseball Weekend gets underway.
Then, on Saturday, August 9, Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins, Bill “Spaceman” Lee, Cardinals star Al Hrabosky, Steve Garvey, Bret Saberhagen and Johnny Bench will present their Major League Baseball memories and adventures in a series of talks and a joint panel discussion at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
“What a wonderful way to bring the world’s best young baseball players and these legends of the game together in one place,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said Monday. “And it’ll all be happening in the city that was The Birthplace of Major League Baseball Springs Training.”
“As a special treat, internationally known baseball historian Bill Jenkinson will settle the question once and for all of ‘Ruth or Otahni or ?? — The GOAT Debate Ends Here,’ regarding who is the Greatest Slugger of All Time,” Arrison said.
“The talks and panel discussions are all free and open to the public, as always, so you can’t beat this great baseball event.”
The Babe Ruth World Series for 14-year-olds will take place August 7 – 16 at Hot Springs’ Majestic Field baseball complex. The opening night game bringing together the MLB legends and youngsters from around the world will be held at 7 p.m. at Majestic Park, pitting the Hot Springs host team against the team from Nigeria.
The full weekend schedule:
• Friday, August 8, at 7 p.m. at Majestic Park — Baseball Weekend guests throw out the first pitch of the Babe Ruth World Series for 14-year-olds. Tickets for the World Series are available now at www.majesticpark.org. Tournament passes are $50 for adults and $30 for kids 7-17. Daily admission tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for kids 7-17.
• Saturday, August 9, at 8:30 a.m. — Ruth or Ohtani or ?? – The GOAT Debate Ends Here. Baseball historian Bill Jenkinson presents his case for the player who deserves the label Greatest Slugger of All Time. Jenkinson has interviewed the top sluggers, including Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Joe DiMaggio, Mark McGwire, and Ken Griffey Jr., and has studied the careers of every great hitter in Major League history.
• 9 a.m. — Baseball Card Show opens in Exhibit Hall A of the Convention Center.
• 9:30 a.m. — The Spaceman Chronicles: The Life of the Earthling Named Bill Lee. Bill “Spaceman” Lee shares colorful anecdotes from his unconventional baseball career. The former Red Sox and Expos pitchjer recounts tales from the mound and clubhouse, offering his unique perspective on the game, teammates, and life beyond the diamond.
• 10:45 a.m. — Steve Garvey: National League MVP. Dodger and Padre first baseman Steve Garvey talks about his baseball career that includes a World Series Championship, a National League MVP Award, two National League Championship series MVP Awards, and 10-times named an All-Star.
• 1 p.m. — Talking Pitching With Kansas City Legend Bret Saverhagen. The four-time Royals Pitcher of the Year won two American League Cy Young Awards, a World Series MVP, and was the ultimate big-game pitcher.
• 2:25 p.m. — Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins. One of the most dominating pitchers of the late 1960s and early 1970s will talk about his legendary career playing for four Major League teams. Leo Durocher called him “One of the best pitchers in baseball ever.”
• 3:30 p.m. — Johnny Bench — The Greatest Catcher in Baseball History. Cincinnati Reds great and Baseball Hall of Fame member Johnny Bench talks baseball and the Big Red Machine.
• 4:45 p.m. — Ask the Pros, Featuring Johnny Bench, Ferguson Jenkins, Bill Lee, Steve Garvey, Bret Saberhagen and Al Hrabosky. Our guests tell it like it is and answer the questions you always wanted to ask. This is not an autograph-signing event, but a panel discussion.
All the Baseball Weekend events except the Babe Ruth World Series event and the baseball card show will take place in the Convention Center’s Horner Hall.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.