It’s not too often that sophomores Josh Parr and Adam Davis get to face off against Illinois baseball teammate Matt Dittman. On Tuesday, they’ll finally get the chance.
All three players were named to the Northwoods All-Star game, which takes place Tuesday at 7:35 p.m. in Eau Claire, Wis.
Parr and Davis both represent the Madison Mallards and will play for the South Division, while Dittman plays for the North Division as a member of the Rochester Honkers.
Each of the players has been looking forward to the matchup and are well aware of what’s on the line.
“It’s going to be tough because Dittman hits the living snot out of the ball, so we’ve told the pitchers to keep it out of the strike zone,” Parr said. “I hope he has a great all-star game. But bragging rights are always great to have, especially since Adam Davis is quite the talker.”
“We’ve been texting each other back and forth and just having fun with it. He’s been saying how the North (Division) is going to win, and we’ve been saying how the South (Division) is going to strike him out,” Davis added.
Dittman acknowledged that it would be nice to pick up the win but that it’s even better to represent the school.
“We’ll definitely be giving each other more of a hard time after the game,” he said. “But it’s really encouraging to have three Illini in the game.”
Each player has been on a tear since June, playing in the wood-bat league that has some of the top collegiate players in the nation. It has provided each of the players with the experience to improve their skills.
Of the three Illini playing, Davis has had the most success. Through 124 at bats, the catcher has four home runs, 26 RBIs and is batting a stellar .363, which is good for fourth in the league.
“It’s a really great honor because there’s a lot of great players that go into it,” Davis said. “I’ve really improved my consistency. I didn’t get a lot of at bats at school so I couldn’t get consistent. But I’m playing here everyday and I’m seeing the baseball well.”
His Mallards teammate is also having a solid year. Parr has a batting average of .316 in 177 at bats with 22 RBIs and 14 stolen bases playing shortstop. The Chillicothe, Ill., native has started to re-discover how to play the game.
“I’ve started to go out there with a plan,” Parr said. “I’m starting to find out who I am as a baseball player — my strengths, my weaknesses. I’m learning from my mistakes, and I’m becoming a better ball player.”
Dittman hasn’t had a bad season himself and will need to have a good game to defeat his Illinois teammates. If he can put up the production he has so far on the year, the North Division will have an excellent opportunity to win.
The Libertyville, Ill. native has found his way on base with a .401 OBP and has belted three home runs and 26 RBIs in 121 at bats on the season for the defending league champion Rochester Honkers. The first baseman is still trying to regain his form since missing most of the spring season due to a broken bone in his hand.
“It’s really encouraging to make the team after not playing for three quarters of the spring,” Dittman said. “I’m just trying to get back to where I was.”
Regardless of who wins the game, the players join some great alumni of the league like Tampa Bay Rays infielder Ben Zobrist, Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer and New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson.