BASEBALL: Locals begin play Thursday in Area Code Games

The 23rd edition of the Area Code Games, one of the nation's most prestigious high school baseball tournaments, runs today through Monday at Blair Field in Long Beach.

Several local players are on the Milwaukee Brewers Blue and Milwaukee Brewers Gray rosters in the eight-team event, which features the top prep talent from across the country. The Chicago White Sox, featuring players from the Midwest, Cincinnati Reds (Southwest and Hawaii), New York Yankees (Northeast), Oakland Athletics (Southeast), Texas Rangers (Texas) and Washington Nationals (Pacific Northwest) are also represented in the tournament.

Valencia junior shortstop Christian Lopes, who competed in the Area Code Games last year, leads a group of four area players on the Brewers Blue team.

Joining Lopes are Harvard-Westlake of Studio City outfielder Austin Wilson -- also selected to play in the AFLAC All-American game Aug. 16 at PETCO Park in San Diego -- Hart of Newhall senior shortstop Pat Valaika and Westlake senior first baseman Christian Yelich.

Crespi of Encino senior pitcher Ryon Healy, the reigining Daily News Player of the Year, is one of seven local athletes on the Brewers Gray team.

Healy is joined by senior teammate Josh Mason, along with Burbank senior shortstop Lonnie Kauppila, Chaminade of West Hills senior pitcher Brando Tessar, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks senior pitcher David Armendariz, Royal of Simi Valley senior pitcher Cody Buckel and West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch junior pitcher Ryan Keller.

The Brewers Blue team has the following schedule: 8:30 a.m. Thursday vs. Athletics; 11:30 a.m. Friday vs. Yankees; 8:30 a.m. Saturday vs. Reds; 2:30 p.m. Sunday vs. White Sox and 2:30 p.m. Monday vs. Rangers.

The schedule for the Brewers Gray team is: 11:30 a.m. Thursday vs. Yankees; 8:30 a.m. Friday vs. Athletics; 11:30 a.m. Saturday vs. Nationals; 2:30 p.m. Saturday vs. White Sox; 5:30 p.m. Sunday vs. Reds;