Travis Whitmore’s day began on the bench.It ended with his teammates mobbing him between first and second base.The Midwest League’s home run derby champion could come from the SAC, NHC, ACAC or independent schools Blackhawk Christian or Canterbury.
That’s because a hitter from one of the conferences will compete in the home run derby June 21, the night before the Midwest League All-Star game at Parkview Field.
It’s one of the local twists when Fort Wayne hosts the all-star game for the first time since 1994.
“A lot of people have done the home run derby. We wanted to include the local high school kids in it. This is our region, and we want to showcase our talent and facility to people, and we want to showcase our kids,” TinCaps President Michael Nutter said Thursday after a news conference providing details of the two-day event. “Think if it was a local kid and it was against (former Midwest League All-Stars Albert) Pujols or (Justin) Morneau or Prince Fielder. It will be a pretty cool thing.”
On June 21, gates open at 5:05 p.m., and the all-stars will be available for an autograph session. A Little League home run derby, featuring area kids 12 and younger, will be followed by an all-stars skills competition.
That gives way to the home run derby. The top-four hitters from the East and West divisions will participate as will the “hometown” hitter. The Midwest League players will compete with wooden bats while the high school athlete will be allowed to use an IHSAA-regulation metal bat.
Preliminary rounds to determine the “hometown” hitter will take place after TinCaps home games the next three Sundays (May 9, 16 and 23). The finals will be June 5.
Before the all-star game June 22, a fanfest will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at Grand Wayne Center. The free event includes another autograph session, kids activities, interactive games and inflatables.
Gates for the all-star game open at 5:05 p.m. Fort Wayne’s coaching staff, led by manager Jose Flores, will coach the East. Burlington, which lost in last year’s title round to the TinCaps, will provide coaches for the West.
Tickets are available for both days.
