Show Time in Marietta

Todd Gold

Ben Collman

Photo: Ben Collman

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MARIETTA, Ga. -- The Show's time finally arrived at 18u WWBA National Championship. After being a fixture in the playoffs in the past, the San Diego Show finally got over the hump to win their first WWBA National Championship by knocking off the East Cobb Yankees 10-1 in the championship game.

With the talent that has graced the rosters of the Show over the years at the 18u WWBA, its amazing that they haven't won multiple titles in the past. Number one overall picks Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper each donned the Show uniform in Marietta, but neither hoisted the trophy at the end of the championship game.

With eight players committed to Division I schools and several recently drafted players on the roster, the Show looked to be a legitimate contender when pool play began. After coming up short in spite of immensely talented rosters year after year, 2011 proved to be the year they finally got the job done. In spite of missing a few key players, the Show went 9-0-1 to emerge victorious from the 192 team field.

The 2011 champions got major contributions from several key players. SS Phillip Evans (2011 La Costa Canyon HS, Carlsbad, CA) earned tournament MVP honors after going 9-for-22 (.409/.458/.500) with 7 RBIs and 3 SBs . RHP Jake Reed (2011 Helix HS, La Mesa, CA) was named Most Valuable Pitcher by yielding just one run over 12 2/3 innings, earning 2 Wins and 2 Saves in 4 appearances. Evans is the 23rd ranked player in the class of 2011 who will play his college ball at San Diego State if he chooses not to sign with the Mets after being selected in the 15th round. Reed is committed to Oregon and was selected by the White Sox in the 40th round.

Both players narrowly edged out Kyle Hayes (2010 Santana HS, Santee, CA) for both Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Pitcher honors. Hayes struck out 14 without issuing a walk over 14 innings (CG W in both starts) and hit 95 mph with the final pitch of his victory in the semifinals. Hayes also hit the game winning Home Run in that semifinal game; his third homer of the tournament. Hayes graduated high school as a 17 year old in 2010 and appeared in 19 games for San Diego State this spring before electing to transfer. As of press time he has yet to commit to a school for the 2011-12 school year, though he will surely draw a lot of interest after his performance.

The East Cobb Yankees finished the tournament 8-2. They also had several high level prospects, highlighted by Blue Jays 2nd round pick LHP Daniel Norris (2011 Science Hill HS, Johnsontown, TN) who notched a Save in the semifinals. Chase Scott (2012 Luella HS, Hampton, GA) was a strong MVP candidate, propelling the Yankees offense all tournament. Scott went 11-for-25 with 7 Rs, 8 RBIs and a Home Run. RHP Jake Burnette (2011 Buford HS, GA) a 7th round pick of the Pirates went 11 innings, allowing just two runs (1 ER) and earned the Win in the semifinals.

The Show will have a lot of their star players back next week for the 17u WWBA National Championship as they look to extend their run of success.