SALLY League All Star Game Festivities A Class Act!

By Rodger M. Wood

I feel like a fire cracker on the 5th of July reporting about a South Atlantic All Star Game on July 22nd that took place over a month ago at Greenville, S.C. but I want to display the game photos and give the young all stars credit for participation in a great game..SALLY League and Greenville Drive management did a great job hosting game festivities at magnificent Fluor Field, which with a Green Monster in left field, is an almost exact replica of the Drive’s parent team Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park.The Washington Nationals Hagerstown Suns tied for the largest team representation with six, manager Matt LeCroy, RHP Dan Rosenbaum, RHP Trevor Holder, who was called up to Fast A Potomac before getting a chance to participate, 3B Stephen Souza, OF Destin Hood, and C Sandy Leon.Boston minor leaguers, RHP Dennis Neumann, OF Ronald Bermudez, and C Dan Butler, an undrafted Arizona University backup catcher quickly emerging from an unsung Cape Cod League past to Red Sox prospect status, represented the host Greenville Drive.Baltimore Orioles Low A – Delmarva Shorebirds was represented by RHP Jesse Beal, from nearbyFairfax Station, VA, SS Garabez Rosa, and OF Brian Conley.Atlanta 2006 #1 Draft RHP Cory Rasmer and LHP Chris Masters represented the BravesLow A – Rome.The game was a nail biter after the 5th inning, when both North and South scored a couple runs for a5-5 tie, which lasted the remainder of the game until called at the end of 10 innings.Wesr Virginia Power (Pirates) OF David Rubenstein hit a double and single in 2 AB, Greensboro C Kyle Skipworth hit a HR in the first inning to put the North ahead 1-0, and Lakewood SS (Phillies) Jonathan Villars hit a solo HR in the 3rd.All the displayed photos were taken during the festivities before the game.

Eastern League All Star Festivities Are Big Fun

By Rodger M. WoodLots of fun activities before the game heightened the drama of an exciting 2010 EasternLeague All Star game at Harrisburg Metro Bank Park July 14th.Ollie’s Bargain Outlets went all out to make it a memorable day for young and old fans, some ofwhom traveled from distant Eastern League cities Trenton, Erie, Altoona, Bowie, Binghamton, Akron, Reading, Manchester, New Britain, Richmond, and Portland to cheer their heroes on.

The Family Fun Fest began at 1 PM. All Star players, graciously signed autographs for a multitude of fans, but the biggest demand turned out to be NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader, Kevin Harvick, who later threw out the first pitch and drove his bright yellow race car around the warning track.Lower Dauphin HS (PA) slugger, Colbe Herr won the high school and Altoona catcher, Hector Gimenez the Eastern League home run derby, with Harrisburg 1B Chris Marrero and Bowie CF Tyler Henson in close pursuit.The all star game was a classic good pitching, good defense 2-2 ball game until the 7th inning stretch,when the West Division filled the bases for Altoona SS Chase D’Arnaud to clear with a dramatic grand slam home run to make the score 7-2. Erie CF Andy Dirks hit a solo shot after D”Arnaud to raise the score to 8-2.In the top of 8th, New Hampshire C Brian Jerolman singled in a run for the East Division making it a 8-3 game and in the bottom of the 8th, Akron OF John Drennen hit a HR and Chris Marrero singled in a run increasing the margin to the West Division final 10-3 win. Harrisburg RHP Rafael Martin picked up the win with a perfect 7th inning.