In the midst of one of the colder winters in recent memory, the fourth annual Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament in Tucson, Arizona could not have come at a better time.  For three days, 300 of the top high school baseball players in the country were able to put their off-season preparations to the test on the field at the Kino Sports Complex, Spring Training Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  This year’s event featured elite players from 33 states, Puerto Rico, three Canadian Provinces (British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta) and the Bahamas that made for an exciting weekend of great baseball.

 

Like Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournaments of years past, the 2010 event kicked off with exciting opening night festivities.  Before heading into the ballroom for the opening ceremony, players received their official Under Armour Pre-Season All-America jersey, hat and cleats.  They also received a certificate commemorating their selection to the event.  Steve Bernhardt, Executive VP of Baseball Operations for Baseball Factory, led off the ceremony by welcoming everyone to the event.  He was followed by Steve Sclafani, CEO and founder of Baseball Factory.   The final speaker to address the crowd was Mac Seibert, National Cross Checker for the New York Mets.  By the end of the evening anticipation was evident as the players and families departed the ballroom, eager for the tournament to begin.

 

Day One of on-field work began with a professional style workout and filming session in the morning.  The workout provided players with the opportunity to showcase their skills while being evaluated by Baseball Factory and Team One scouting staff.  Each team participated in the morning workout before taking the field for the first of three showcase style games.  The mild weather continued throughout the afternoon, and the beautiful Arizona sunset was a fitting end to the second day of the 2010 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament.  In the evening, players and families were treated to guest speaker Keith Madison, former Head Coach at the University of Kentucky where he won 737 collegiate games.  During his 25 years at the University of Kentucky, Keith coached 10 All-Americans, 20 first team All-SEC selections and 89 SEC Academic All-Conference players.  Keith provided a great message that was well received by players and families.  

 

Teams arrived at the Kino Sports Complex Sunday for the third and final day of the 2010 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament enthusiastic for their final two games.  Though the weather was not as warm with overcast skies in place, it was still a great day of baseball in mid-January.  The level of talent had been evident throughout the event, but players really took their best effort to the field for the last day.  In dramatic fashion, the final hitter stepped up to the plate in the final at-bat of the day, and launched a bomb over the left-centerfield fence.  Newton, PA native Dan Denton got all of the fastball he saw which capped off a terrific event with a walk-off home-run.  

 

The fourth annual Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament was another successful event in Tucson, Arizona for the 300 talented high school baseball players in attendance.  Baseball Factory would like to congratulate all the players on their strong performances this year.  As the first step on the road to Wrigley Field, we can begin to look towards the 2010 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory.  This year’s Under Armour All-America Game will feature the top 36 high school 2011 graduates from across the country.  Held at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois last year, five of the 2009 Under Armour All-Americans were selected based on their performance at the Pre-Season All-America Tournament.  Who will be selected this year? Check out Baseballfactory.com for more information on this upcoming event.  

If you want to be considered for next year’s event, show our scouts you have what it takes at an Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout.

For more information on the 2010 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament click here.

For more information on the Under Armour All-America Game click here.