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PG Select Baseball Festival  | General  | 7/8/2019

PG adds 13u Festival to slate

Photo: Mick Abel (Perfect Game)

PG Select Baseball Festival

Just three short years ago Perfect Game announced the implementation of the inaugural 14u Select Festival in the effort of continuing to grow the game of baseball while providing young players with the platform to develop and showcase their skills. Jump forward to present day and the 14u Select Festival is going strong with 98 college commitments, 35 participants over the last two PG National Showcases, three international signings in Starlyn Castillo, Estanli Castillo, and Erick Pena as well as one drafted player in Maurice Hampton.

A quick look at the updated Perfect Game rankings shows that at least three of the top five ranked players in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 classes are Festival alums, including the top spot in all three with ‘20 righthander Mick Abel, ’21 shortstop Brady House, and ’22 righthander Dylan Lesko. 

Continuing to expand the efforts of leading the amateur baseball industry, Perfect Game is excited to reveal the addition of a 13u version of the Select Festival to the calendar, scheduled to be held August 23-25 at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. The game time is set for 1 p.m. and will be televised nationally that night (August 25) on CBS Sports. 

“After seeing the results involved in the 14u Festival, it just made sense to invest in creating the same type of experience for the most talented 13 year old players,” said Jerry Ford, Perfect Game President and Founder. “So this year we will be having a nationally televised event for 13 year old players for the first time.  People are always very surprised when they see just how talented these outstanding young players are. It is a real eye opener. The most rewarding part of these events is raising money for less fortunate kids.”

Following the same guidelines as its 14u iteration of the Festival, all players who are members of the 2024 class or are born after May 1, 2005 are considered eligible for selection as long as they’ve participated in at least one Perfect Game event since this past fall season. The 13u Select Festival will feature 32 of the best 13u eligible players across the country and will be divided into two teams, which will be announced on Friday, July 26.

While the rosters will not be released for a few weeks PG is excited to announce that the two coaches for the teams have been. Former MLB All-Star Junior Spivey will be leading one team while seven-year MLB infielder Homer Bush will lead the other. 

“We are very excited to announce the 13u Select Festival,” said Ben Ford, Perfect Game Vice President of National Development. “One of our main goals at Perfect Game is to grow the game of baseball, but more importantly, give back and help children. These type of events accomplish both. This version of the Festival will be held at another great facility at the University of Oklahoma and we look forward to watching the talent on the field but also the impact that giving back to pediatric cancer has on these young athletes.”

Like the older installments of the All-American Games, the players in the 13u Festival will experience a weekend that’s about much more than baseball. While the game itself will be a focal point so will the players’ visit and experience with the children at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine for which they will also help raise money leading up to the event.

“The Perfect Game Cares Foundation is proud to partner with our 13u Select Festival players to raise important funds for the children and families at The Children’s Hospital,” said Jennifer Ford, Director of Perfect Game Cares. “Together we are one step closer to changing the narrative for children fighting cancer.”

Perfect Game has proven willing to turn on the brightest lights and provide the biggest stage throughout youth baseball and if the history of the 14u Select Festival has proven anything, the 13u version will only continue to grow following a successful first year. 

“It is exciting to see the top up and coming talent across the country come together at PG events,” said Tom “Flash” Gordon, MLB All-Star and Special Assistant to The President at Perfect Game. “I look forward to seeing these players come to the showcases and tournaments to show off their abilities. I would have loved to have events like this when I was growing up that are not only about the best talent there is but also giving back. These events are where it all begins.”

Perfect Game is proud to have provided the platform and opportunity for more than 1,300 MLB players since it was founded in 1995. All Perfect Game events are run in select compliance with Major League Baseball’s Pitch Smart initiative. Stay tuned to perfectgame.org for more details on the 13u Perfect Game Select Baseball Festival as the event draws closer.
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