High school baseball players will demonstrate their talents today at Redondo Union High School’s Memorial Field as part of the “Best in the West” Wood Bat Invitational tournament that runs through Sunday.
The day’s festivities begin with a college combine workout at 8 a.m. where high school players can receive a written evaluation of their skills from area coaches. Players will be evaluated in different areas and will be shown national averages for comparison. All results will be posted and e-mailed to numerous colleges throughout the country. Many college coaches and scouts have been invited to attend the workout.
The event also features a booth for players and parents to learn how the clearing house works, how to become eligible for college, the process of a national letter of intent, what college recruiters look for, the differences between Division I-II-III and NAIA, and much more.
Players can sign up from 7:30-8 a.m. today. Cost is $25 per player.
Beginning at 4 p.m., athletes participating in the 22-team tournament will showcase skills in an outfield relay, around the horn challenge, round the bases competition, pop star catchers challenge and a home run derby where, unlike the rest of the tournament, metal bats will be allowed.
Raffle prizes and giveaways will be awarded during the event with a fundraiser dinner following at Buffalo Wild Wings, 3525 W. Carson St. #163, Torrance.
South Bay Surf LLC, a professional baseball developments company founded by local baseball product Shane Schumaker, is revitalizing the “Best in the West” Wood Bat Championship Invitational after acquiring the sole rights to the tournament which has been a South Bay tradition for more than a decade.
Mira Costa, South Torrance, Carson, Banning, Harbor College and Redondo Union host the games. Joining Mira Costa in Bracket 1 are Torrance, Wolfpack and Elk Grove. Bracket 2 includes South, Surf, Atascadero and Peninsula. San Pedro and Banning make up Bracket 3 while Narbonne, Palos Verdes, APS A and San Clemente compete in Bracket 4. Vying for Bracket 5 are APS B, Gardena, Carson and Bakersfield 18. Redondo faces Loyola, Socal Mavericks and Bakersfield 19 in the final bracket.
Teams began competing in Varsity Flight or 19U Open Flights in the first of three days of pool play on Tuesday. Mira Costa fell to Torrance 4-2 and Redondo lost to Loyola 7-1 in their first games. Mira Costa hosts the Wolfpack Wednesday at 11 a.m. while Redondo hosts the Socal Mavericks in a 7 p.m. contest.
Pool play concludes Friday followed by single-elimination games scheduled for 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday. Winners advance to the semifinal round at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Championship games will be held Sunday with Redondo hosting the Silver final at 9 a.m. and the Gold final at noon. Mira Costa hosts the Bronze final at 10 a.m.
Pool play contests played at Redondo tomorrow include Mira Costa vs. Elk Grove at 2 p.m. and Redondo vs. Bakersfield 19 at 7 p.m.
“The spirit of competition and tradition of this tournament is the epitome of what baseball is really about, the opportunity to play against good teams in a great environment in front of family and friends,” Schumaker said. “My goal is to utilize coaching and marketing experience, especially at the collegiate level, to develop this tournament into a competitive yet fun event that prepares the athletes for the upcoming season.”
For more information including brackets, visit www.calwbi.com or contact Schumaker, raker06@yahoo.com. ER
