HSBN Miami All-Star & Awards Event Is Back!

Friday, May 29th, 2015 will be a day to remember for all players, parents, fans, and coaches here in Miami-Dade County. That is the day the county’s best seniors will take the field for the 4th-annual HSBN Athlete’s Dream Team Uniforms Miami-Dade Senior All-Star Game and Awards Ceremony event.

Last year was the first year of Public versus Private, and in 2015 Broward players will once again put bragging rights on the line between private and public schools.

Each year since the creation of MiamiDadeHighSchoolBaseball.com, High School Baseball Network has given seniors one last day to go out and perform in front of their family, friends, and peers. Unlike other All-Star events, HSBN has created an atmosphere and seriousness to the game that has made it among the best All-Star events in the country.

Additionally, Athlete’s Dream Team Uniforms has signed on as the title sponsor for this event. For owner MaryLou Saks, it was an easy decision to sponsor the event.

“I am a sports enthusiast with a particular passion for baseball,” said Saks. “The High School Baseball Network is an outstanding organization that provides players, coaches, and teams a means for the recognition of baseball excellence, spirit, comradery, and sportsmanship. I am thrilled to be partnering with HSBN, and certainly appreciate the opportunity and privilege that has been given to me.”

The day will be filled with excitement and anticipation, as All-County awards, including first and second team selections, Pitcher, Hitter, Coach, and Player of the Year honors will be handed out at the game.

The game this season will again be played at St. Thomas University, and will begin at 7PM. As always, plenty of surprises are in store for fans.

Managers for the game have been selected by HSBN, and coaches who win their district Coach of the Year awards will round out the staff for each team.

HSBN Miami-Dade Public School Manager – Ralph Henriquez – Key West

Managing the public schools team will be Key West’s Ralph Henriquez. The Conchs have enjoyed a revival under Henriquez, who took the program back over for the third time two years ago.

“I thank HSBN for the opportunity to be a part of this special event that will showcase the top talent in South Florida.”

HSBN Miami-Dade Private School Manager – Javier Rodriguez – Gulliver Prep

In the opposing dugout for the private schools team will be a familiar foe to Henriquez, Gulliver’s Javy Rodriguez. The Raiders are one of the top teams in Miami this season, and Rodriguez has his club thinking about a trip to Fort Myers. Rodriguez is excited about the chance to participate for the first time in the HSBN All-Star event.

“It’s an honor to manage the all-star game for HSBN. South Florida has so much talent, I am sure I will be coaching a future big leaguer in this game. This is one of the top areas for baseball in the country, and it will be fun to lead these seniors in their final high school game.”

The Players

Ballots will be sent out to each manager, and managers will be allowed to nominate four seniors from their team for the game. Once all ballots are returned, the HSBN staff will then review the nominations and select the final team. Approximately 30 players will be selected for each squad.

All-Star rosters will be announced on MDHSB on Monday, April 27th. All players chosen will be instructed to RSVP confirming participation in the game. Those who do not RSVP in the allotted time will be replaced with alternatives.

Once the teams are complete, the players will be treated to a five-star event, beginning with commemorative jerseys with their names and numbers on the back. One mandatory practice will be held Tuesday, May 26th, at which, players will receive their jerseys, meet with their fellow all-stars and coaches, and have a photo shoot in their all-star uniform.

On game day, the festivities kick off in the afternoon with a pregame meal for all all-star players and coaches. The meal will be followed by a traditional pregame of batting practice, stretching, warming-up, and infield-outfield. Once the first pitch ceremony and player introductions are complete, the real fun begins!

On-field games will keep the excitement high throughout the night, encouraging fan participation with raffles, trivia contests, and even on-field competitions for a few selected lucky younger fans in attendance.

The Awards

Along with All-Star ballots, coaches also will receive on April 13th, ballots for All-District teams. The All-District teams are comprised of the final voting from coaches, along with HSBN representative input. All-County first and second teams will then be selected solely by the HSBN staff.

In-between each inning of the All-Star game, All-County players will be individually recognized at home plate. This will also be the time players learn whether they were a first or second-team selection. Underclassmen who receive an All-County selection will not be eligible to play in the game, but will be notified and will be invited to be a part of the awards ceremony on the field.

As all-star night draws to a conclusion, the biggest awards of the year will be presented. Hitter, Pitcher, Coach, and Player of the Year awards will be handed out.

In addition to awards received at the all-star game, the Miami Marlins have partnered with HSBN to honor all-county players from Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade on Monday, June 1st. Players will be honored before the game in an on-field ceremony at Marlins Park. The all-county winners will then have free tickets to stay and enjoy the game! A link will be available on MDHSB for parents and fans to purchase additional tickets to the Marlins game and ceremony.

Equipment Donation

HSBN will for the fourth year in a row be collecting used equipment and donating the equipment to area Chicago White Sox Scout Pepe Ortega. The equipment will then be shipped to the Dominican Republic, to help underprivileged ballplayers. If you have extra equipment laying around, HSBN urges you to bring it to the game and donate it to this worthy cause. If you have equipment and cannot make the game, please contact us via our contact page to arrange pick-up of the equipment.

Conclusion

Admission at the gate will be $8. No passes will be accepted for this event.

The private school team will be wearing red, and the public school team royal blue. We are asking fans to come dressed in their team colors and help create the atmosphere for this wonderful event.

It will be an afternoon that will not soon be forgotten, so mark the date, Friday, May 29th, and come out and help send these seniors out in style, while enjoying one last baseball game for the 2015 season!

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