CLOVERDALE — The best in North Central League I baseball will be on display Saturday at City Park in Cloverdale, site of the inaugural NCL I North-South All-Star Game. First pitch is 11 a.m.
The nine-inning game features seniors players who will soon be graduating — or already have graduated in some instances. There is no admission to the game although a donations bucket will be passed throughout the stands. Money raised will help make the game an annual event, which is the goal, according to Cloverdale High School varsity baseball coach Juan Jauregui, who will serve as the South manager.
Team rosters feature such stars as Cloverdale pitcher Mitch Delfino, who is headed to Cal on a scholarship after leading the Eagles to the NCL I South championship and earning the MVP award on the All-South team; North co-MVPs Mike Duman of Kelseyville, who pitched the Knights to share of the North title, and Fort Bragg”s Alex Johnston.
Among those on the South roster are first-team All-Leaguers Christian Coddington, Noel McCormack, Ryan Hansford and Corey Dillon of Clear Lake High School. The North roster features first-team All-Leaguers Johnny Harmyk, Zach Strickler, Eric Tomko and Devin Nordin of Middletown, and Duman, Justin Lilly and Dustin Panos of Kelseyville.
The starting pitchers are Delfino for the South squad and Duman for the North.
“It”s going to be fun,” Fort Bragg head coach Jim Caito squad. “I think it (the game) is a great idea and we should have done it long ago. I want to keep it going.”
Caito will manage the North squad and be assisted by Kelseyville”s Lou Poloni and Middletown”s Mitch Tucker.
While Cloverdale is hosting this year”s game, Jauregui said the All-Star Game, if it continues, could be moved to a permanent site — possibly Mendocino College — or rotated to other high school fields.
Players on both teams receive T-shirts and medals. The winning team will be honored on a perpetual trophy.
The first 72 Little Leaguers who come through the gate in uniform on Saturday will receive T-shirts as well.
