The Modesto Sunrise Rotary All-Star Game is back for its 33rd year, and for the first time since 2014, it returns to the home of the Modesto Nuts.
After hosting the All-Star Game for seven years (the classic was null from 2020 to 2022 due to the pandemic, Stanislaus State hands the baton to John Thurman Field.
Taking to the iconic minor league facility on Saturday will be 43 players from 19 schools throughout Stanislaus County.
The festivities will feature full concessions, a raffle for a Will Clark autographed baseball, and the popular foul ball exchanges for prizes in the press box.
As for the players, they will each receive their usual blue and gold jerseys, as well as a full-color commemorative program. The top performer will again be awarded the “Outstanding Player” award, though a newly-introduced $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the “Academic Achievement Player.”
Stepping up to the plate to continue and expand on the traditions of the past three decades is Ron Ramont, a past president of the Modesto Sunrise Rotary who has taken over for founding event chair and president Carl Tognolini.
“Carl did an incredible job over the past 32 years working with all the Stanislaus County high school baseball coaches to make this happen,” Ramont said in a press release. “My hope is to continue Carl’s amazing legacy and bring some new things, like college scholarships, color souvenir program and prizes for the attendees, to the event.” ,
Of the players selected, there are 12 from programs within the Turlock Journal coverage area.
Leading the way is Turlock High themselves. The two-time defending Central California Athletic League champions have four players slated to be on the gold team: shortstop and pitcher Josh Ramirez — who was recently named CCAL Defensive Player of the Year — and All-League First Team honorees Jaron Rocha (P, INF), Andrew Sevilla (P, INF) and Cooper Pacheco (1B).
Joining them in gold jerseys will be members of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V runner-up Hughson program. The appearance by the Huskies will be headlined by shortstop Beau Blake, who was recently named Trans-Valley League Most Valuable Player. Joining him will be TV Pitcher of the Year Max Mankins, as well as All-League first baseman Carlos Guizar. Third baseman Andrew Fisher and pitcher Dominic Aguiar were tabbed as alternates.
Rounding out the gold team is Denair’s Kaden Prine and Lincoln Hart. The battery-mates also represented the Coyotes together last year. Prine, one of the most dominant pitchers out of the Southern Athletic League throughout his four years of high school, will participate for the third straight year.
Over on the blue team will be three representatives of Pitman. They are All-CCAL honorees Alberto Salazar (P, OF) and brothers Nathan and Noah Cervantes. Also battery-mates, Noah will be doing the pitching while Nathan will be behind the plate.
Gates open at 1 p.m. with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at https://events.modestosunriserotary.org/33-baseball-classic. Children under 12 are free.
