On July 12, Major League Baseball will be holding its annual All-Star Game at Comerica Park in Detroit.
However, a group of high school baseball players and coaches, including recently graduated Brandon varsity baseball player Derek Foyt and Brandon varsity coach Ron Wagner, experienced a little All-Star atmosphere of their own June 23.
The Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association presented its annual East-West High School All-Star Game that day. Foyt was the starting center fielder for the East team, while Wagner was on the coaching staff for the East.
The day before, the All-Star players and coaches were honored at a banquet at Zuccaro’s Country House, 46601 N. Gratiot, Chesterfield Township.
Wagner said the MHSBCA ‘did a great job? of putting the All-Star festivities together.
Foyt, Wagner, and the rest of the East contingent earned a come-from-behind 9-3 victory against the West squad, with Foyt displaying some of the talents that made him a first team All-State Division 2 selection.
Foyt recalled being in awe of going onto Comerica Park’s field for the first time. He said it’s much different than seeing the field as a spectator.
‘It was absolutely amazing,? he said. ‘It was just a beautiful place.?
Wagner echoed the same sentiments.
‘It was just fantastic,? he said. ‘You don’t even realize how nice it is until you get out there.?
The starters for each team played the first five innings, while the reserves played the final four innings. Foyt went 1-for-2 on the day with a run scored.
In his first at-bat in the third inning, Foyt singled on a 2-2 count off of Zach Putman of Ann Arbor Pioneer, who made Baseball America’s High School All-American First Team and was named Mr. Baseball for the State of Michigan.
‘It’s a little intimidating,? Foyt said of facing Putman. ‘He’s a great player. You just hope for the best when you get up there.?
According to Wagner, Putman tried to pick Foyt off of first base, but the throw was wild, and Foyt advanced to third. He scored on a sacrifice to put the East up 1-0, and that was the only scoring until the top of the sixth inning.
In that inning, the West scored on a two-run error to take a 2-1 lead, but the East rallied in the bottom of the sixth with seven runs. Each team scored one more run to wrap up the game’s scoring.
Foyt said playing center field in spacious Comerica Park was different than doing so on Brandon’s field, because he had to guard against playing too deep or too shallow.
‘You get out in center field and you try to play it like you would a high school game,? he said. ‘You have to try and find a medium, because there’s so much ground out there.?
Foyt is slated to take part in one more All-Star Game this summer ? the third annual Negro Leagues Celebration High School All-Star Game, slated for Aug. 5 at Comerica Park.