Community event at The Ballpark at America First Square will feature a mental health roundtable followed by exhibition games honoring first responders and military members
South Jordan, UT (May 19, 2026) — On June 13, 2026, former Major League Baseball players, military members, first responders and their families will gather at The Ballpark at America First Square in Downtown Daybreak for “In the Open,” a community-focused event centered on mental resilience, connection and service. The day will feature a live roundtable conversation on mental health followed by exhibition games between Police vs. Firefighters and Hill Air Force Base vs. the Utah National Guard.
“The more we talk about and celebrate mental health, the better we will be in addressing the mental health crisis,” said Christena Huntsman Durham, CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation. “We are excited to be part of an event like this that will help bring additional attention to mental health, and particularly the resources available through Huntsman Mental Health Institute.”
Centered on openness, connection and shared experience, In the Open will feature a live roundtable discussion moderated by former MLB All-Star and MLB Network broadcaster Sean Casey. The roundtable will bring together voices from different professions united by similar pressures, expectations and lived experiences as they discuss mental health.
“Ballparks are where stories, families and communities come together,” said Michelle Smith, president of Miller Sports + Entertainment. “Hosting In the Open at The Ballpark at America First Square allows us to create a platform for honest conversations about mental well-being for those on and off the field.”
In the Open is rooted in the belief that performance-driven environments—whether in professional sports or service roles—often demand strength and resilience but have not always created space for open conversations about mental health. In the Open aims to help change that.
Former Major League players will share personal stories about navigating pressure during and after their careers, leadership and supporting others and the importance of speaking openly about mental health. Featuring standout MLB alumni alongside military members and first responders, the roundtable will create a candid dialogue that reflects the shared realities of high-performance cultures and life beyond the uniform.
“We were taught to play through the pain,” said John Buck, former MLB player. “We weren’t always taught how to talk about it. Conversations like In the Open help change that by bringing awareness to the mental health resources available.
The alumni players’ stories and perspectives, together with those of first responders and military members, will set the tone for a day of candid, hopeful discussion capped by exhibition games featuring Police vs. Firefighters and Hill Air Force Base vs. the Utah National Guard. Admission is free for all attendees.
June 13, 2026, In the Open Event Overview:
- 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – In the Open Roundtable
- 11 a.m. – Community baseball games honoring military members and first responders
- Police vs. Firefighters
- Hill Air Force Base vs. Utah National Guard
- 2:30 p.m. – On-field community gathering and screening of The Sandlot
In the Open is made possible through the generous support of our presenting partners—the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Miller Sports + Entertainment and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation—as well as community organizations dedicated to mental health awareness and to serving others.
“We believe healthy communities are built not just on physical strength, but on emotional well-being,” said Don Stirling, executive director of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. “By bringing together athletes, military members and first responders for honest conversations about mental health, we hope to remind individuals and families that they do not have to carry their burdens alone and seeking help is a sign of strength.”
For more information and to secure tickets to the In the Open community baseball games, visit the event page.
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About In the Open
In the Open is a player-led initiative focused on creating honest, meaningful conversations around mental resilience. What began with one former player choosing to speak openly has grown into a shared commitment among others to do the same—without scripts, expectations or agendas.
About Huntsman Mental Health Foundation
Huntsman Mental Health Foundation is transforming the way the world understands, treats and heals mental illness. The Foundation supports the work of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, a one-of-a-kind organization that unites mental health care with life-saving research. Donations to the Foundation fund mental health needs from crisis care to inpatient treatment, to research.
About Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation
The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation was established in 2007 to continue the philanthropic spirit exemplified by Larry and Gail Miller for future generations. The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation supports programs that enrich lives and communities in the areas of health and medicine, shelter and food security, education and skill development, jobs and economic self-reliance, and cultural and spiritual enrichment. Read the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation’s 2024 Impact Report here: https://joom.ag/rUjd
About Miller Sports + Entertainment
Miller Sports + Entertainment (MSE) manages Real Salt Lake (MLS), Utah Royals FC (NWSL), Megaplex, the Salt Lake Bees (MiLB), The Ballpark at America First Square, America First Field, Real Monarchs (MLS NEXT Pro) and Big League Utah and its quest to bring a Major League Baseball team to Salt Lake City. Learn more at millerse.com.
