ALL-STAR NOTEBOOK: Event included a special award and pre-game talk by MLB scout

Major League scout Taylor Cameron from the Texas Rangers talks to players before the 57th annual Orange County All-Star Baseball Game Wednesday at the Great Park. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt and Jacob Ramos, OC Sports Zone)

Organizers of the 57th annual Orange County All-Star Baseball Game at the Great Park wanted the event to be more than just a game.

Officials with the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, including chairman Guy Lemmon and foundation members Dick Owens (the game director) and Rex Lyon, looks like they accomplished that.

Officials were pleased with the improved attendance figures at the game, estimated at 600. This was the second year that the Ryan Lemmon Foundation ran the game.

The South won its third game in a row over the North, 3-1.

Players took part in pre-game drills which were open to the public, Major League scout Taylor Cameron addressed players before the game, a special award was given to Owens and there was a special appearance by Omaha the Bat Dog who picked up bats during the game and returned them to the dugout.

In addition, members of two youth baseball teams appeared on field for pre-game activities and Irvine city officials attended the game and were on the field for pre-game ceremonies.

A practice at Irvine Valley College started the week.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Mr. Baseball Award

Dick Owens, who has also been the tournament director for the Ryan Lemmon Invitational spring tournament since the start, was honored before the game and presented the Mr. Baseball Award. He also threw out the opening pitch.

Don Wagner, chairman of the Orange County supervisors, praised Owen’s years of volunteer work in helping to build baseball in Irvine and Orange County and presented him with a proclamation. Irvine City Irvine Vice Mayor James Mai also praised Owens’ achievements.

“Dick Owens has been a selfless volunteer in the Irvine sports community for over 35 years,” it was noted in the game program. “His contributions have helped teach countless young men and women the values of teamwork, self-reliance and leadership.”

Owens has helped more than 50 schools in Orange County. He’s also been an active member of the Irvine Sports Committee and was instrumental in the development of the Irvine Great Park Sports Complex.

Owens has lived in Irvine since 1984. His wife Rachel was in attendance along with his son Ben Owens, baseball coach at Northwood High School.

“Behind the scenes, Dick has made a huge impact in the Orange County high school baseball community and they are forever grateful,” the program message noted.

Advice from scout

Before the game, Texas Rangers national pro scout Taylor Cameron congratulated the players for being in the game and wished them well in the game. Players from both teams were on hand for the talk.

Big player turnout

Players from Fountain Valley Tyler Peshke and Mikey Patterson along with Santa Margarita players Gavin Spiridonoff, Ben Finnegan and Brennan Bauer were at the game Wednesday. Bauer pitched in the seventh inning for the South.

Fountain Valley and Santa Margarita both lost games in the CIF So Cal Regional Wednesday afternoon but the players wanted to take part in the all-star game that night. Mater Dei players Lawson Olmstead and Brannon Thomas were also there, one day after the Monarchs lost in the regional.

Under CIF rules, players selected for the all-star game could not play if their teams were still competing in the So Cal regionals.

“They wanted to go out and enjoy the experience together and be able to get out there and play a little bit and have a little bit of fun,” said South assistant Chris Malec, head coach at Santa Margarita.

“Our season at Santa Margarita was awesome. The kids went through a lot through the course of the year, some ups and downs but ultimately continued to make an incredible run and play in an incredible atmosphere through the finish and I couldn’t be more proud of who our guys are and how they represented our school and our community.”

Barons represented

Fountain Valley players Mikey Patterson, a second baseman and Tyler Peshke, a pitcher and infielder, said they were honored to be selected for the game.

“Honestly, I’m really excited, it’s a great group of guys out here,” Patterson said in an interview before the game. “I’m real excited to see everybody play and meet new people and I’m super stoked.”

Patterson plans to play at Cerritos College next season.

“It’s obviously an honor with all these other guys out here, there is so much history in the game with all the other guys who have played in the game before me, I’m just excited,” added Peshke.

Peshke will also play at Cerritos College next season.

Reporters’ reflections

Jacob Ramos and Adam Kunin of OC Sports Zone covered their first OC all-star baseball game and shared their thoughts:

Jacob Ramos: “My favorite memory from Wednesday’s OC All-Star Game was being able to celebrate the talent that comes through Orange County baseball every year. Seeing the names and faces on the promotional poster and knowing that so many of the players I had the privilege to cover on Wednesday will go on to have successful careers was an amazing feeling. I loved shooting for the game but also enjoyed talking to Jarett Sabol (Aliso Niguel) about what’s next as he prepares for collegiate baseball at USC.

“Overall, it was an amazing experience and one of my favorites of all-time while working for OC Sports Zone. Baseball and sports are sacred and should be celebrated whenever possible. I’m grateful for the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, the City of Irvine, the OC Riptide and every team/player/program coordinator who allowed the day to come together and and gave us such great access to showcase the talent on-field.”

Note: Jacob, who joined OC Sports Zone in April, is entering his senior year at UCI. He is majoring in criminology, law and society. He has been the beat writer for New U covering UCI men’s basketball.

Adam Kunin: “The on-site staff welcomed us with open arms and made the whole experience enjoyable. My favorite memory from the night was getting to talk to some of the standout players about their experience at the OC-All Star Game.

“After the game, I had the opportunity to speak with South team MVP Jarett Sabol, North team MVP Trevor Goldenetz and Hustle Award winner Miles Scott. They were all well-spoken individuals who treated us with great care and compassion. I have no doubt that they all have bright futures ahead.”

Note: Adam joined OC Sports Zone as a summer intern in May. He will be entering his junior year at Arizona State University, majoring in journalism. He has also covered numerous sports at ASU and is editor in chief of Inferno Intel, a student run publication covering sports.

OC SPORTS ZONE TEAM: Jacob Ramos and Adam Kunin of OC Sports Zone also covered the all-star game. Jacob had an in-depth interview with South MVP Jarett Sabol and took action photos for the main story. Check out post-game interviews on X by Adam, who also provided updates.

RELATED:

PHOTOS: South survives North’s late threat for third straight win in OC All-Star Game

Aliso Niguel catcher Jarett Sabol stars in OC All-Star game, helps South top North

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com