6/27/22
(Yakima, WA) This past weekend, ESN went over to Parker Faller Field at Yakima Valley Community College for the 2022 All-State Baseball Series. Four games over a two-day span with 75 recent high school graduates all taking the field to play high school baseball for the very last time.
On day one with all teams wearing the new All-State uniforms, Team Adams would kick things off defeating Team Baker. Team Rainier would then knock off Team St. Helens.
On day two, it was an amazing visual as every player wore their high school uniform for the final time. Seeing the players lineup all repping their schools was just an awesome sight that made you appreciate high school sports even more. Team Baker would defeat Team St. Helens in the opening game on Sunday. Then, Team Rainier would defeat Team Adams to close out the weekend.
At the end of the event, the staff awarded three awards. The first, the offensive MVP, was Jaxton Helmstetler from West Seattle High School. The defensive MVP was Isaac Marchand of Kentwood High School. Lastly, they awarded a scholarship to Kyle Memarian from Skyview High School.
The heat would have normally been an issue but with frequent substitutions players were able to stay cool and the level of competition stayed high. The event stayed friendly and light the entire way however with opposing coaches and players joking around with one another. We even saw Chandler Tuupo from Issaquah High School step into a dugout to catch a pop fly and although it didn’t count, it got a good laugh and a fist bump from an opposing coach.
While calling these games and watching the players it really hit me. This was the purest form of baseball. These were a bunch of kids ready to move on to not only the next level of their athletic and academic careers, but the next phase of their lives.
Looking at the rosters, there were so many different players from all over the state and all brought together by one thing. Baseball.
It was a special and memorable weekend and you can relive it all On-Demand on the NFHS Network. Also, if you want to learn more about the players and event check out allstatebaseball.com.
elisportsnetwork.com