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MLB moves All-Star Game out of AtlantaRonald Blum | Associated Presson April 2, 2021 at 7:18 pm

Major League Baseball announced Friday that it will move the All-Star Game from Atlanta’s Truist Park in response to Georgia’s new voting-rights restrictions. | John Amis/AP

The decision is in response to Georgia lawmakers enacting new voting-rights restrictions.

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball moved the All-Star Game from Atlanta’s Truist Park, a response Friday to Georgia enacting a new law last month restricting voting rights.

MLB had awarded the game to Atlanta on May 29, 2019, and the game was scheduled for July 13 as part of baseball’s midsummer break that includes the Futures Game on July 11 and Home Run Derby the following night. But Commissioner Rob Manfred made the decision to move the All-Star events and the amateur draft, which had been scheduled to be held in Atlanta for the first time.

“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” Manfred said in a statement.

“Over the last week, we have engaged in thoughtful conversations with Clubs, former and current players, the Players Association, and The Players Alliance, among others, to listen to their views. I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft.”