WHEELING - While high school baseball players from 14 states and Canada are in Wheeling looking for a big break, local business owners are getting big bucks in their cash registers.
A Players Showcase - conducted by the Paramount Scouting Bureau's National Scouting Report - attracted 250 players to Patterson Field in Elm Grove Wednesday. As part of the Edgar Martin Beast of the East Classic, the showcase is held to provide athletes with a professional evaluation of their talents. Players are evaluated for all baseball skills, including pitching, catching, throwing and running. National Scouting Report sends results from each showcase to every college coach in the country.
Along with the players, come parents and other family members who have to find lodging and food during their stay in Wheeling. A sampling of out-of-towners' expenses reveals an economic boon for the local economy.
Article Photos
Photo by Fred Connors
Evaluating pitchers at Wednesday’s Players Showcase at Patterson Field in Elm Grove is Grant Jackson, former Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher and National League All Star.
Kathy Turick and her mother, Laura, of Dearborn, Mich., came to the event to watch 16-year-old Kyle Bloom compete.
"We are staying at the McLure House Hotel downtown," Kathy Turick said. "I would estimate our total expenses will be about $1,000."
Jennifer Luzik and Sarah Nemeth of Pittsburgh are here for their sons, Ryan Luzik and Troy Nemeth.
"We are each spending at least $700," Luzik said. "We are staying at the Marriott in Wheeling. We come every year. It's like a mini vacation."
Mike Zappone of Cleveland will be at the Holiday Inn Express in Triadelphia while his son, Anthony, competes.
"We will be here for four days," he said. "With goods and lodging, we will spend $800 or $900."
Kim Miller of Shrewsbury, Pa., is in Wheeling with her son, Troy. They are accompanied by Cindy Hnatuik and her son, Matthew, of Baltimore.
"All the motels in Wheeling were filled so we are staying at the Baymont in Weirton," Miller said. "We estimate we will spend between $800 and $1,000."
Ed Piotrowski of Ellicott City, Md., is part of a 15-family group in town for the Beast of the East.
"Most of us are staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Triadelphia," Piotrowski said. "The players are staying in cabins at Grand Vue Park in Moundsville. All totalled, we will spend more than $15,000 as a group."
The Players' Showcase allowed players be evaluated by college and professional baseball scouts and by the Paramount Scouting Bureau. A former big leaguer was on hand to offer his input. Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Grant Jackson, who won Game 7 in the Pirates 1979 World Series win over the Baltimore Orioles, evaluated pitchers' performances during Wednesday's showcase.
"I look for arm strength and the kid's ability to throw the ball over the plate," Jackson said.