Hot Springs hosts former ballplayers

HOT SPRINGS -- The city's tourism agency is hosting an event featuring baseball history in Hot Springs and panels with former major league baseball players today.

Most events will be held at the city's convention center, which is at 134 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs.

The schedule includes:

• 10 a.m. -- A meeting of the Arkansas-based Robinson-Kell Chapter of the Society of American Baseball Research at the city's convention center, in the Wheeler Room, which is next to Horner Hall. Former major league pitcher Rich Thompson, a silver medal winner in the 2002 Olympic Games in Athens, will speak.

• 10:30 a.m. -- Local and regional baseball historians will conduct a guided tour of Whittington Park and Fogel Field, two of Hot Springs' most famous ballpark sites from the days when some major league teams held spring training in the city. Those taking the tour will meet in front of the Historic Baseball Mural at the intersection of Malvern Avenue and Convention Boulevard for a briefing, then will depart for Whittington Park, located at the upper end of Whittington Avenue. Participants will need to furnish their own transportation to the ballpark sites.

• 1 p.m. -- A panel discussion on Hot Springs' role in baseball history. This will take place in Horner Hall.

• 2:30 p.m. -- A panel discussion featuring four Arkansans who reached the major leagues. Reggie Ritter, Allen McDill, Mike Beard and Rich Thompson are scheduled to speak. The panel will be led by Gregg Patterson in Horner Hall.

• 4 p.m. -- A celebration of the St. Louis Cardinals featuring former players Steve Carlton, Ted Simmons, Al Hrabosky and Dick Hughes in Horner Hall. Afterward, an autograph session will be held. Each player will sign two autographs per person.

Admission is free and events are open to the public.

Metro on 10/12/2019

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