Middendorf selected to all-star Select game

<p class="p1">It's an all-star game without being called an all-star game.

<p class="p1">A Southern Region Select Softball game will be played Thursday, June 23, at Rent One Park (home of the Frontier League's Southern Illinois Miners) in Marion after being moved from Charlotte West Stadium on the campus of SIU-Carbondale.

<p class="p1">The two 18-player Select teams are being complied by the Southern Illinois Umpire Association, Southern Illinois ASA and area coaches and will play a single, nine-inning game.

<p class="p1">Coaches are Drew Franklin (Trico), Scott Hutchinson (Johnston City), Joy Neal (Marion) and Will Capie (Carterville).

<p class="p1">"It's kind of like an all-star game, but they didn't want to name it an All-Star game," Franklin said. "Each school is allowed to nominate four or five players.

<p class="p1">"No more than a maximum of three from any team will be selected. There were 93 kids nominated and 36 were picked."

<p class="p1">Steeleville's Lexi Middendorf has been one of those selected to play. Middendorf recently was named to the Class 1A All-State First Team after batting .584 with a single-season record 10 home runs and 47 RBIs this season for the Lady Warriors.

<p class="p1">The list of selected players also includes Trico's Emily Bauersachs, Jade Kranawetter and Danyelle Eilers. All three helped the Pioneers come away with the IHSA Class 1A state third place trophy last month.

<p class="p1">"I think it's an outstanding experience for them to showcase their talents again," Franklin said. "They work so hard in the offseason and the season to get where they're at and it's an honor to play in that game with the area's best players."

<p class="p1">Players who have been chosen will receive a jersey, commemorative softball and commemorative program.

<p class="p1">A scholarship event will also take place in the fourth inning. Seniors who are furthering their education will be given a ball and from a designated spot in center field, the girls will throw the ball toward a bucket at home plate.

<p class="p1">Whoever gets the ball in the bucket, or close to it, will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Pepsi MidAmerica. Franklin said if there are ties, players will rethrow until there is one winner.

<p class="p1">In addition, the IHSA Final Four teams will be recognized during the game.

<p class="p1">Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 6-12 and 5-and-under free.

<p class="p1">Also, any 14U/12U/10U/8U players wearing their team jersey will receive one free admission to the game.

<p class="p1">"They've had an all-star baseball game for years now and I think (the Select game) is a good thing all-around," Franklin said.