High School Baseball Showcase

The players include:

Dre Gleason, 1B, Fort Zumwalt North

Ryan Howard, SS, Francis Howell Central

Zac Perkins, SS, Francis Howell

Nate Green, 3B, Francis Howell

Calvin Munson, P, Francis Howell

Austin Verschoore, OF, Fort Zumwalt West

Francis Howell baseball coach Tony Perkins will be one of the coaches for the Missouri team.

According to a press release, “The PNC Bank High School Baseball Showcase, presented by Rawlings and Prairie Farms, gives 50 select high school seniors from Missouri and Illinois the chance to show NCAA coaches and professional scouts that they have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of St. Louis’ greatest homegrown players. Many in this select group of Metro St. Louis players will go on to play major college and professional baseball. Since its inception in 2010, the Showcase has expanded to include a Skills Challenge and Homerun Derby, and a skills clinic for kids with disabilities.”

“This event is a great opportunity for families, especially those with kids who dream about playing professional ball, to spend a FREE evening at Busch Stadium watching some great young players,” said Rick Sems of PNC Bank. “Playing under the lights at Busch Stadium is an experience these kids will never forget.” Tickets to the High School Baseball Showcase game are free. For more information, visit www.highschoolbaseballshowcase.com.

“I believe in the value of youth sports,” said St. Louis Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny, one of the founders of the High School Baseball Showcase game. “Seeing these talented kids come out and play for love of the game is something that inspires me every year.”

Alan Benes, former Cardinals pitcher and current professional scout for the Cardinals, will manage a team in the 2013 Showcase for the first time, along with returning manager Chris Duncan, former Cardinal and current 101 ESPN Radio Personality.

Showcase players will again share tips and skills with kids with disabilities at a special High School Baseball Showcase Clinic on Sunday June 9 at 1:30 pm at Mike Matheny’s Catch 22 accessible baseball field in Chesterfield. “Last year’s clinic was such a great event that we knew we had to bring it back,” said Rick Sems of PNC Bank. “It gives our players the chance to get involved in the community and gives the kids the opportunity to learn something that they might not otherwise try. Fred Bird always has a great time, too!” Participation in the clinic is free and open to the first 50 participants. For more information and to sign up for the Skills Clinic, visit www.highschoolbaseballshowcase.com.

All Showcase players are eligible to participate in a Home Run Derby/Skills Competition, which will take place at Busch Stadium at 3:30 pm on game day. Designed to highlight the talents of individual players for scouts, the Challenges include a Home Run Derby, Speed Challenge, and Throwing Accuracy drill.

The 2013 PNC Bank High School Baseball Showcase is presented by Rawlings and Prairie Farms.

Tickets to the PNC Bank High School Baseball Showcase and Skills Challenge are FREE.

The game can be scene on www.stlsportsproductions.com. 

Information for this story was obtained through a press release from Wild Marketing and Media.