HS BASE: All-Star game set for Saturday at Birmingham

Good pitching is supposed to beat good hitting, and that theory is going to be put to the test at 6 p.m. Saturday at the fifth annual City vs. Southern Section All-Star Baseball Game at Birmingham High in Van Nuys.

There's a preceding home-run contest sponsored by Louisville Slugger, but players from both sides better save some of their best swings because nothing is going to come easy with so many aces on both sides.

Westlake's Alex Daley, the Marmonte League Pitcher of the Year, has been appointed the starter for the Southern Section, and waiting in the wings are Hart's Tyler Glasnow, Oaks Christian's Travis Radke, West Ranch's Ryan Keller and Westlake's Michael Miller.

The City Section is scheduled to start David Lira, who helped San Fernando win the City Section championship, and the others include Kennedy's Ryan Cruz and Alberto Flores, El Camino Real's Jose Cardona, Birmingham's Kevin Torres, Arleta's Javy Lopez and San Fernando's Jose Reyes.

Perhaps a final score of 1-0 would not be much of an all-star event, but it could happen.

"It's an honor to play in an all-star game and to play with the best," Torres said.

There is talk of some of the players using wood bats, a trend that figures to make things that much more difficult for hitters.

The important thing, as far as coaches from both teams are concerned, is for the participants to enjoy one last hurrah and to take advantage of a final opportunity to represent their schools and communities.

"That's exactly what it's about," City coach Scott Osder of Taft said. "All these seniors who've played against each other and been competing against each other for four years, now they get to share the field together with the best competition."

Part of the thrill has already happened for Southern Section coach Zach Miller of Westlake, who has enjoyed watching the players bond during a Wednesday practice.

"It's about the kids and a chance for people to come out and see some special players," Miller said. "The biggest thing was watching them interact with each other because a lot of them have been rivals for so long. Now they're teammates that get to laugh together. You have Pepsi and Coke, Nike and adidas, and now the City Section and the Southern Section.

"It might be a low-scoring game, but that's just a testament to Southern California baseball this year. It's going to be fun."

There are lots of impressive hitters, too.

Among the City Section's best are Chatsworth's Aaron Brown and Steven Karkenny (both of whom might be late because of a conflict with Chatsworth's annual team banquet), San Fernando's Reyes, Ssn Pedro's Bubba Costa and Taft's Michael Hymes.

The Southern Section counters with Valencia's Shane Zeile and James Bonds, Saugus' Nick Lombardi and Justin Sheehan and Alemany's Edgar Montes.

The City Section leads the series 3-1, including a 4-3 win last year.

"I'm excited to get a chance to play with all the guys I have played against these past four years," said City catcher Chris Whitmer of El Camino Real. "This is a great chance to show everyone just how tough the City really is."

Lira pitched 10 innings in his last appearance, a 2-1 win over El Camino Real in the City semifinals 10 days ago at USC. Tonight he'll probably be limited to an inning, two at the most, and he's OK with it.

"It's an accomplishment to be there, not just for us but for the community, school, coaches and family," Lira said.