Under Armour and Baseball Factory today announced the roster, to-date, for the 2011 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, which will take place at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. The 2011 game marks the fourth year that Under Armour and Baseball Factory have collaborated to present the All-America Game.
Players will experience four days of festivities that begin on Wednesday, August 10 and culminate with the game on Saturday, August 13. For the second year in a row, the game will air live nationally on MLB Network, called by Greg Amsinger and Jonathan Mayo, with the first pitch taking place at 1:05 p.m. CST. It will also appear via live webcast on MLB.com. Over the first three years of the game, 88 of the 103 draft eligible players who competed in the Under Armour All-America Game were selected in the MLB Amateur Draft, including 18 first round picks.
An amazing five local players will be competing in the event including Yency Almonte (RHP, Braddock), Nick Basto (SS, Archbishop McCarty), Lewis Brinson III (Coral Springs), Nick Travieso (RHP, Archbishop McCarthy) and Miami Westminster Christian two sport star David Thompson (PICTURED).
“Under Armour is excited to present the premier showcase for the country’s elite high school baseball players for the fourth consecutive year,” said Matt Mirchin, senior vice president, Sports Marketing, Under Armour. “Chicago’s historic Wrigley Field is the perfect venue for the next generation of baseball athletes to learn, excel, and highlight their exceptional talents.”
Baseball Factory scouts thousands of high school players worldwide before selecting the athletes that make the Under Armour All-America Game. Players are evaluated at events throughout the country, including the Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryouts, National Tournaments, National Showcases and National Teams. In addition, players are reviewed at outside events that include high school games, tournaments and summer leagues. From more than 400,000 high school baseball players, only 36 will earn distinction as Under Armour All-Americans in 2011. The final players are selected by a committee of Baseball Factory scouts, led by Steve Bernhardt, executive vice president of baseball operations.
“Baseball Factory works with 25,000 players each year at more than 400 events nationwide,” said Steve Sclafani, CEO and founder, Baseball Factory. “We pride ourselves on helping players build their way to greatness, and what better place to serve as the pinnacle of their high school careers than the Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory, at Wrigley Field. We are excited to join Under Armour in showcasing these talented players at Wrigley Field and across the country on MLB Network.”
“We’re excited to host the fourth annual Under Armour All-America Baseball Game and provide these promising high school players from around the country with an opportunity to play at historic Wrigley Field,” said Wally Hayward, executive vice president, chief sales & marketing officer, Chicago Cubs.
The coaches who will lead baseball’s next superstars during the 2011 Under Armour All-America Game are Steve Bernhardt, Glenn Cecchini, Scott Demetral, Todd Fine, Jim Gemler, Steve Mandl, Matt Richter, Vince Sacco and Sammy Serrano. Each coach has extensive experience in recruiting or coaching some of the best talent in the game of baseball. In addition, many have held positions in or are currently associated with the scouting departments of a number of Major League Baseball clubs. MLB Network’s Larry Bowa and Bill Ripken will act as guest managers and coaches throughout the game telecast.
The pool of available players for this year’s game is very talented and the selection process is extremely competitive. Of the 36 roster positions available, 31 have been filled and Baseball Factory is currently evaluating the remaining candidates to see which players will earn the coveted final five spots.
