Baseball's top players will appear at showcase
On July 30, some of the premier baseball players in the area will take the field at Lake Olmstead Stadium for the inaugural CSRA Prospect Showcase.
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The game will match up the best players from South Carolina and the top performers in Georgia (all must play in the CSRA).
Of course, when you talk CSRA baseball, you have to start with Columbia County. So as you might expect, Team Georgia is loaded with players from Columbia County.
Heading the list of county players is Greenbrier slugger Rich Poythress. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound first baseman has already committed to play at Georgia, and there is no doubt the pro scouts will have their eye on him next spring.
Greenbrier first baseman and slugger Rich Poythress is scheduled to play for Team Georgia at the CSRA Prospect Showcase, but a prior commitment in Florida makes his appearance uncertain.[
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Poythress does have a prior commitment to play at a tournament in Tampa, though, so his appearance at the showcase depends on how far his team advances down in Florida.
Joining Poythress on the Georgia roster is one of the leading candidates for county player of the year in 2006, Evans outfielder Shawn Ward.
Ward has always been as smooth as silk in center field, but this spring he emerged as one of the area's premier hitters. He crushed nine homers and led the county in RBI.
Several other county prospects will get an opportunity to prove what they have to offer in front of scouts from both the college and professional ranks. More than 20 college programs are expected to be on hand, along with two or three major league teams.
Evans catcher Alex Sickman also will play for Team Georgia. Scouts from colleges and a few major league teams are expected to attend the showcase.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
A couple of county players will suit up for Team Carolina. Augusta Christian standouts Wayne House, who hit the shot heard 'round Baston Road to win the state title for the Lions, and first baseman Josh Sizemore will play for the South Carolina team because Augusta Christian plays in the South Carolina Independent Schools Association.
A complete roster for Team Georgia
Wes Baxter, Evans; Adam Beckum, Cross Creek; Paul Bordon, Lakeside; Josh Brodhecker, Evans; Trey Dove, Lakeside; Pat Foster, Evans; Brad Hall, Westside; Steve Hardy, Westside; Jay Krenz, Lakeside; Keith Lee, Lakeside; Ben Lillis, Cross Creek; Bradley Logan, Westside; Rich Poythress, Greenbrier; Rafael Parks, Greenbrier; Kyle Rice, Cross Creek; Alex Sickman, Evans; Tuck Tucker, Greenbrier; Zach Walker, Evans; Shawn Ward, Evans.
Evans catcher Wes Baxter will get a chance to show off his skills with Team Georgia. Representatives from at least 20 colleges are expected at the July 30 game at Lake Olmstead Stadium
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Catch all the action at Lake Olmstead Stadium on July 30, beginning with the home run derby at 1 p.m. and the game at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5.