CINCINNATI – The high school baseball and softball seasons are just around the corner.
The seventh annual Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase presented by Cincinnati Children’s Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics will feature a record 108 high school baseball and softball teams from Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Southeast Indiana and Dayton playing 55 games from April 6–28.
“Cincinnati has a rich history of major league players coming through local high school baseball programs,” said Dick Williams, Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. “The Reds are excited to showcase our high school talent and give them the opportunity to be on the field at Great American Ball Park for Big League Weekend and March at the Majors.”
The showcase announced its schedule Tuesday afternoon at the P&G Major League Baseball Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy.
The event includes some of the area’s top baseball and softball teams including reigning Division IV state champion Williamsburg and 2017 Division I state runner-up Lebanon.
The Simon Kenton baseball team, state runners-up in 2017, is also included in the schedule.
The Showcase kicks off April 6-8 with Opening Weekend at the Reds Youth Academy featuring 10 baseball games and three softball games. The softball matchups have expanded to 22 teams.
Kentucky opens its baseball and softball seasons March 19. Ohio begins its baseball and softball seasons March 24.
Here are some other features of the Showcase:
- All Cincinnati Public School baseball and softball teams will participate in the Showcase, including 10 games on April 14 at the Reds Youth Academy as part of Jackie Robinson Weekend.
- Twelve teams will play at Great American Ball Park during “Big League Weekend” April 20 and 21.
- The inaugural River Cup, featuring three Greater Cincinnati baseball teams playing against three opponents from Northern Kentucky, is part of Opening Weekend on April 7 at the Reds Youth Academy.
- For the third straight year, two baseball doubleheaders will be played in Dayton at Wright State University and, for the first time, two softball games also will be played on the WSU campus.
- Northern Kentucky Week will feature seven games, including a doubleheader being played at the renovated Meinken Field in Covington, which was dedicated during MLB All-Star Week in 2015.
- Players and coaches from the 108 teams will be invited to GABP on Sunday, May 6 to participate in a “March at the Majors” parade around the field prior to the Reds vs. Miami Marlins game. MVP’s from the games will be recognized on the field during pregame ceremonies, compliments of MSA Sport.
Complete schedule:
Friday, April 6 – Baseball Opening Night (at P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy)
Field #1 (Stadium Field)
Walnut Hills vs. Withrow, 4:30 p.m.
Field #2
Shroder vs. Western Hills, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 7 – Baseball Opening Day (at P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy)
Field #1 (Stadium Field)
Bishop Brossart vs. McNicholas, 1 p.m.
Anderson vs. Campbell County, 4 p.m.
Highlands vs. Sycamore, 7 p.m.
Field #2
Middletown vs. Winton Woods, noon.
Princeton vs. Taylor, 3 p.m.
Colerain vs. Loveland, 6 p.m.
Field #3
Aiken vs. North College Hill, 11 a.m.
Madeira vs. Turpin, 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 8 – Softball Opening Day (at P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy)
Field #4
Middletown vs. Withrow, noon.
Harrison vs. Milford, 2 p.m.
Lebanon vs. Mason, 4 p.m.
Monday, April 9 (at Wright State University)
Franklin vs. Monroe, 5 p.m.
Piqua vs. Tippecanoe, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11 (at University of Cincinnati)
Elder vs. Moeller, 5 p.m.
La Salle vs. St. Xavier, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 12 (at University of Cincinnati)
Lebanon vs. Walnut Hills, 5 p.m.
Hamilton vs. Mason, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 13 (at Wyoming High School)
Deer Park vs. Wyoming, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 14 (at University of Cincinnati)
Fairfield vs. West Clermont, 1 p.m.
Lakota West vs. Milford, 4 p.m.
Badin vs. CHCA, 7 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Weekend (at P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy)
Baseball Field #1 (Stadium Field)
Clark Montessori vs. New Miami, 1 p.m.
Hughes vs. Woodward, 4 p.m.
Northwest vs. Roger Bacon, 7 p.m.
Field #2
Oyler vs. Shroder, 12:30 p.m.
Riverview East vs. Taft, 3:30 p.m.
Softball
Field #3
Oyler vs. Shroder, 11 a.m.
Western Hills vs. Winton Woods, 1 p.m.
Hughes vs. Woodward, 3 p.m.
Field #4
Clark Montessori vs. Norwood, noon.
Aiken vs. Taft, 2 p.m.
Monday, April 16 – Softball (at Blue Ash Sports Complex)
Ursuline Academy vs. Williamsburg, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 19
Baseball (at P&G Cincinnati MLB Reds Youth Academy)
Field #2
Mariemont vs. Purcell Marian, 5 p.m.
Softball (at Wright State University)
Greenville vs. Northmont, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 20 Baseball (at Lawrenceburg High School)
Harrison vs. Lawrenceburg, 7 p.m.
(at Wright State University)
Centerville vs. Northmont, 5 p.m.
Beavercreek vs. Miamisburg, 7:30 p.m.
(at Midland Baseball Complex)
Blanchester vs. Clermont Northeastern, 5 p.m.
Goshen vs. Western Brown, 7:30 p.m.
Softball (at Wright State University)
Kettering Fairmont vs. Springboro, 5 p.m.
Monday, April 23 (at Covington Catholic High School)
Covington Catholic vs. Scott, 5 p.m.
(at Simon Kenton High School)
Conner vs. Simon Kenton, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 24 (at Ryle High School)
Cooper vs. Ryle, 4:30 p.m.
(at Dixie Heights High School)
Dixie Heights vs. St. Henry, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 25 (at Meinken All Star Field, Covington)
Bellevue vs. Lloyd, 5 p.m.
Holmes vs. Holy Cross, 7:30 p.m.
(at Beechwood High School)
Beechwood vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 27 – Softball (at P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy)
Loveland vs. Walnut Hills, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday April 28 (at P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy)
Field #1 (Stadium Field)
Edgewood vs. Lakota East, 1 p.m.
Oak Hills vs. Springboro, 7 p.m.
Field #2
Batavia vs. Indian Hill, 11 a.m.
New Richmond vs. St. Bernard, 3 p.m.
Cincinnati Christian vs. Reading, 6 p.m.
