All-Star Game basics:
Played in early July of each season, which is just past the midpoint of the season, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game pits the best players in the American League playing the best players in the National League in an exhibition game.
History:
The game was first played in the 1933 season. Heading into the 2007 season, the National League has won 41 of the games, and the American League has won 34. The games in 1961 and 2002 ended in a tie.
Game sites:
The game is played at a different stadium each year, chosen by Major League Baseball. It typically alternates between leagues each year.
Rosters and All-Star fan voting:
The eight starting position players in the game are chosen by fan balloting. Cardboard punch ballots are distributed at all major league ballparks, and Internet voting was added in the late 1990s, allowing all-star voting to be global.
The pitchers and the backup position players are selected by the managers of the game, which is the manager of the previous year's league champion. One player from each team is selected to the game.
Home run derby:
A home run derby was added in 1985, and the competition takes place the night before the All-Star Game.
Winner earns a perk:
The game is an exhibition, and managers are careful not to overuse players, especially pitchers, in the game.
But after the controversy surrounding the 2002 game -- it ended in a tie because each team ran out of available pitchers -- a new rule was enacted to make the game more relevant and add to the incentive. The winning league in the game now receives home-field advantage in the World Series that season.
