This year’s event featured a Futures Games, with underclassmen, as well as the Senior All-Star Game to honor the careers of the best high school players in the area
Paul Valencia
Clark County Today
A new format to a familiar event was met with praise Monday night, bringing a bigger spotlight to Southwest Washington high school baseball players.
The Clark County All Star Game was held at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, and instead of a doubleheader for the seniors, the event featured one “Futures” game, with some of the top underclassmen in the region, and one senior all-star game.
One tradition that did not change — the honoring of a fallen soldier who once was part of the Southwest Washington baseball community. The Cpl. Jeremiah Johnson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to two senior MVPs Monday night: Houston Coyle of La Center and Harrison Hoffarth of Columbia River.
Coaches also met after the game to determine the representatives of Clark County to the All-State games later this month in Yakiam.
As far as the new format, call it a success.
Jason Castro, who runs Clark County Baseball and is one of the organizers of this event, said there were a few reasons for the change.
In the past few years, a lot of area high school coaches have said that some players were not aware of the game. By holding a Futures Game, younger players would have the opportunity to participate, and then look forward to playing in the Senior game.
“Hopefully now we kind of flip the script a little bit. It was starting to get a little bit stale. Let’s bring some new excitement to it,” Castro said.
Another reason is the opportunity for the younger players to shine in front of college coaches. There were 11 colleges that RSVP’d to the event to attend the Futures Game. For the most part, the seniors playing in the all-star game already have their college plans. But for juniors and sophomores, this was a chance to showcase their skills in front of college coaches.
“We play a pretty good brand of baseball. We got to see some really cool coaches and programs who came to represent,” Castro said.
He added that because ABM sponsored the event this year, players were able to wear Clark County All Star jerseys — and the players wore their high school hats in the field.
“It was a new thing, but I thought it was pretty successful for year one,” Castro said.
Hoffarth called it a “great honor” to receive the scholarship in Johnson’s name and one of the MVPs.
Johnson was a 2001 Prairie High School graduate and baseball enthusiast. He joined the U.S. Army. While serving in Iraq, he made the ultimate sacrifice in 2007. His parents, Beth and Dave Johnson, along with the Evergreen Baseball Umpires Association, created the Cpl. Jeremiah Johnson MVP Scholarship Award.
“It was definitely a surprise, but it’s definitely an honor. I appreciate it. I have no words, really. I was not expecting it,” Coyle said.
The MVPs also enjoyed playing high school ball one last time in front of family and friends.
“Seeing all the guys you play with your whole life just all come together for one game, it’s the best experience,” Hoffarth said.
“It was fun. We were out here to play ball, have fun, and compete. That’s what it’s all about,” Coyle said.
The All-State Games for Washington are in Yakima June 21 and 22.
Clark County high school coaches met late Monday night to vote for their representatives. The top three players voted are going to the all-state games. The next two are likely to play in the games.. And then there is a list of five players, alternates, that the all-state officials can select. In recent years, Clark County has had seven or eight players in the all-state event.
The top three this year: Justin Fuller of La Center, Hoffarth of Columbia River, and Matthew Manjooran of Camas. The next two are: Coyle of La Center, and Nolan Nunn of Prairie. The next five: Liam Ostrum of Ridgefield, Noah Coakes of Columbia River, Tanner Koford of Hudson’s Bay, Owen Dirks of Prairie, and Derek Tarnoski of King’s Way Christian.
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