The 27th annual Brooks Robinson All-Star baseball game took place on June 14 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Each year, it gives baseball enthusiasts, young and old alike, a chance to see potential major league baseball players in the making.
A handful of players for the North team represented three area high schools from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Mike Dillon, Luke Sawyer and Kevin Lingerman represented Calvert Hall College High School, Towson; Ryan Kemp hailed from Mount St. Joseph High School, Irvington; and Sean Thompson represented Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore.
The South won 10-5, but Thompson was voted the game’s Most Valuable Pitcher, as he retired all six hitters he faced in the third and fourth innings, striking out five in a row.
The South team was coached by Dave Lanham of St. Mary’s High School, Annapolis, and the North side was coached by Calvert Hall’s Lou Eckerl.
Event spokesperson Brooks Robinson, who played his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles and is known for his brilliant play at third base, collecting 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, has been a strong advocate for youth baseball over the years.
The event, initially played at Memorial Stadium, features the area’s top recently graduated Maryland high school seniors. This year’s game featured 11 field players and four pitchers on each side.