Video Perfect Game's CEO talks about playing the All-American Classic in Philadelphia during America 250 Perfect Game's CEO Rob Ponger talks to Fox News Digital about how excited he is playing the All-American Classic in Philadelphia: "Stars, stripes and prospects."
FIRST ON FOX: The Perfect Game All-American Classic is headed east, as the world’s largest baseball scouting organization’s premier tournament will be at Citizens Bank Park in 2026, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The All-American Classic will take place on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET. Perfect Game CEO Rob Ponger told Fox News Digital how excited he is for the game to be in Philadelphia.
"It's also the 250th anniversary of America, right? Philadelphia, Philly, it's like stars, stripes and prospects, right? 1776 to 2026, America was born 250 years ago and the future stars of baseball are born at this event," Ponger told Fox News Digital.
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A general view of Citizens Bank Park during the national anthem on Opening Day between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers. This photo was taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Perfect Game All-American Classic features the top 60 high school baseball players in the country, many of whom go on to become first-round draft picks and future big leaguers.
Phillies stars Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler, Kansas City Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr., Baltimore Orioles star Gunnar Henderson, and New York Mets star Francisco Lindor all played in the All-American Classic.
With the game being in Philadelphia, Ponger said there is an added significance to the game because of the historical value of the city. He hopes it will help kids make a memory that lasts a lifetime.
"These kids are going to be making moments that will last their lifetime. Even if they don't make it to the majors and whatever, this is a moment and again, you know, when that national anthem plays before the game, you just you take a step back and again the relevance of it being the 250th anniversary of America," Ponger said.
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Charlie Manuel shakes players’ hands at a Perfect Game 14U Select Fest. This photo was taken in Fort Myers, Florida, in August 2025. (Courtesy of Perfect Game)
"It's our PG All-American game. It's in Philly, the Liberty Bell in the background. I think it's just cool."
Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who helped lead the team to a World Series championship in 2008 and is the winningest manager in franchise history, is the honorary chairman of the event.
Ponger called him a Philadelphia legend and said it’s very meaningful to have him at the event.
In addition to the All-American Classic on Sunday, Perfect Game will also have the PG All-Star Game on Friday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. ET, and the Launch Hydrate Home Run Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 15.
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Bryce Harper poses with Perfect Game players for a photo before the 2019 Perfect Game All-American Classic. This photo was taken in San Diego, California, in August 2019. (Courtesy of Perfect Game)
Ponger hopes the weekend in Philadelphia will provide lifelong memories for not only the kids, but also their families, who have been beside them every step of the way on their journey.
"America is the land of opportunity and dreams, right? And these kids are on that path to it. So, it almost sounds cliche, right? But like I said, stars, stripes, and prospects," Ponger said.
"But the parents, it's all their hard work over the last (many years) since they're little kids, this is like hopefully not the climax of it because they go to D1 and they go to MLB, but for this moment in time, they should also be honored, all the parents, right? And on top of that, now their hard work, it's again the symbolism of America."
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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.
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