Crosstown Showdown To Return To Jackson Field In 2022
The Lansing Lugnuts announced on Tuesday that the annual exhibition baseball game, titled the "Crosstown Showdown" between the Lansing Lugnuts and the Michigan State University baseball team will return on April 6, 2022 at Jackson Field in downtown Lansing.
The two sides had met annually from 2007 until 2019. But did not play each other in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVD-19 pandemic.
It is unclear as to whether it will be a seven-inning or nine-inning exhibition game. in the early years, it was a nine-inning affair but in recent years had been shortened to seven innings.
The Lugnuts have 11 of the first 13 Crosstown Showdowns. Next year's game will be played on April 6th, just two days before the Lugnuts open their 26th season in Michigan's capital city.
Both the Lugnuts and MSU were pleased with the announcement:
Lugnuts General Manager Tyler Parsons:
"We’re thrilled to bring the Crosstown Showdown back in 2022 and beyond, this is a unique event that has a lot of history and it is a tremendous way for us to connect our communities together. We’re incredibly thankful for our friends with Michigan State Athletics and our partners with the Oakland Athletics for working with us to bring this event back. We look forward to seeing everyone on April 6th – Go Green and Go Nuts!”
MSU baseball coach Jake Boss, Jr.:
“We’re very excited about continuing the tradition of playing in the Crosstown Showdown next spring, It’s a special opportunity for our program and our student-athletes to not just play against professional baseball players but play in a great atmosphere in a first class facility in Jackson Field. The Crosstown Showdown is an event that our players will remember for the rest of their lives and is just one of the many unique experiences they are fortunate to be a part of as a member of our program here at Michigan State University,"
MSU Athletic Director Alan Haller:
"This is a unique event and a tremendous opportunity for our athletic program, our student-athletes and our fans, it is a fantastic way to unite Michigan State Athletics with downtown Lansing and engage our community for a baseball game. We look forward to continuing this long-standing relationship we have formed with the Lansing Lugnuts organization.”
Oakland A's GM David Forst:
“The Lugnuts and their fans were incredibly supportive of our players and staff during our first year in Lansing, We’re excited to be able to participate in the Crosstown Showdown to celebrate such a great baseball city.”
In recent years, the Showdown had been played in September. Which is after the Lugnuts season finishes up. This time it will return to its original date, early April. That's before the Lugnuts start their season.