By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

Watch out for falling baseballs, All-Star Week is right around the corner.

Turner Field, Home of the Atlanta Braves, will be home to baseball's summer classic this year, while the city hosts many events leading up to the game.

Piedmont Park will host the third annual Major League Baseball Yard Ball Tour. The tour is a four on four baseball game played with plastic bats and balls. Each game lasts five innings or 45 minutes and is played on a reduced field. The entry fee for the two-day tournament is $80 per team and the registration deadline is Friday, June 30. Phone 888-991-5690.

Players and spectators can participate in several on-site events, including the Yard Ball Home Run Derby, the Base Hit Derby, the Beat The Throw Challenge, batting cages and pitching bullpens. Spectator admission is free.

The Georgia World Congress Center will host the John Hancock All-Star FanFest, July 7-11. The five-day interactive baseball-themed attractions spread out over a quarter-million square feet. There will be cutting-edge interactive games and attractions, Major League clinics and seminars, free autograph sessions, live entertainment, memorabilia and more.

One of the attractions is FanFest Baseball Cards, where patrons can get their own baseball cards complete with photos and statistics. This year's FanFest also will welcome the event's one millionth fan who, upon entering the turnstile, will win a prize package including four tickets to this year's All-Star Game.

Tickets to the John Hancock All-Star FanFest can be purchased in person at the Atlanta Braves box office or by phone from Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400. Tickets are $14 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under and senior citizens.

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