Carpenter Cup tryouts begin this weekend
It's almost summer and that means Carpenter Cup action is just around the corner.
The Lehigh Valley team will hold their first of three tryouts on Sunday, May 5 at DeSales.
The other two tryouts will take place on Sunday's May 12 and May 19. All sessions are slated for 9 am.
The Carpenter Cup is one of the nation's premier scholastic tournaments that takes place at Ashburn Field at FDR Park and Citizens Bank Park.
Founder/General Manager of the Lehigh Valley team, J.F. Pirro, has been involved with the team for 21 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
He anticipates between 85-90 players, from grades 9-12, to tryout out for the team's 25 roster spots.
"Bringing all players from this region together on one team and giving these kids the opportunity is rewarding," Pirro said. "They get instant mass exposure to hundreds of college coaches and professional scouts. There's the opportunity to further their academic and playing careers.
"We need the two best players at each position, two DH's and seven pitchers. We look for bat speed, speed, arm strength, good defensive hands and plenty of intangibles essential to team play, self-sacrifice, grit, competitive spirit. We like talent, but we love scrappers."
The Lehigh Valley all-stars won championships in 1998, 2001 and 2011, but they've found themselves in the final four of the 16-team tournament, virtually ever year.
The single elimination game tournament, played against teams from across the Tri-State area, kicks off on June 17 against Delaware-South. The official tournament dates are posted at the bottom of the article.
Pirro just hopes to have another eventful run in this June classic.
"The Lehigh Valley deserves this and we need the best players to try out so we can put the best the Lehigh Valley has to offer out on the field," he said. "If you're one of the best, then you belong in this tournament and on this team, but there are more than 25 outstanding players in the Lehigh Valley."
Schedule
Ÿ June 17 [12:30 p.m.] L.V. vs. Delaware-South at Ashburn Field in FDR Park
Ÿ June 21 [10:30 a.m.] vs. winner Olympic Colonial-SOL National-Bicentennial at FDR
Ÿ June 24 [9:30 a.m.]: Semifinal at Citizens Bank Park
Ÿ June 25 [10 a.m.] Championship at Citizens Bank Park