Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase Presented by Safeco Insurance Expands to 72 Teams

CINCINNATI (Feb. 24, 2014) - The third annual Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase presented by Safeco Insurance is increasing the number of participating schools from 64 to 72, with 13 teams playing in the season-opening event for the first time.

The Showcase features 36 games from March 29 to April 27 at the premier baseball parks in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky including nine games at Prasco Park in Mason, games at Crosley Field in Blue Ash and Midland Field in Batavia, as well as 13 games at the collegiate ballparks on the campuses of the University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University and Miami University.

Four games will be played at the new P&G MLB Cincinnati Urban Youth Academy at the Roselawn Sports Complex, the home fields for Walnut Hills and Purcell Marian high schools.

"The Reds are proud to support high school baseball and foster the development of the next major league stars," said Phil Castellini, Reds Chief Operating Officer. "Cincinnati has a rich heritage of hometown players going on to great major league careers with the Reds including Ken Griffey, Jr., Rob Oester and Dave Parker from this year's Reds Hall of Fame induction class."

Griffey Jr. (Archbishop Moeller High School, Class of 1987), Oester (Withrow High School, 1974) and Parker (Courter Technical High School, 1970) will be inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame along with the late Jake Beckley during Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, Aug. 8-10, 2014.

"This event is now an integral part of the high school baseball landscape in Cincinnati," said Tom Gamble, In-Game Sports President and CEO. "It's an honor to celebrate the history of local high school baseball by having great players from the past take part in our ceremonial first pitches during many of the games. And with the support of the Reds along with sponsors Skyline Chili and Safeco Insurance, we are able to provide an even better all-around baseball experience for the participating teams and their fans."

Title sponsor Skyline Chili and presenting sponsor Safeco Insurance will create interactive contests and promotions at each of the 36 games.

At select games, ceremonial first pitches will be thrown out by some of the area's greatest high school players to commemorate the rich tradition and heritage of high school baseball played in Greater Cincinnati.

Tickets for the Reds Futures High School Showcase games are $5 and good for all games on that day. Each ticket includes a voucher good for a free View Level ticket to select 2014 Reds regular season games at Great American Ball Park and also includes a coupon for one free Skyline Chili cheese coney.

Advance tickets can be purchased at each of the participating schools beginning in March. Tickets also will be available on game days at each of the ballparks.

The culminating event of the Showcase will be on Sunday, May 4 when players and coaches from the 72 high schools will participate in a "March at the Majors" parade around the field prior to the Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers game at 4:10 p.m. An MVP from each of the 36 games will be recognized on field during pregame ceremonies.

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Here is the full schedule of matchups and locations for the 2014 Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase presented by Safeco Insurance:

Saturday, March 29

Hughes vs. North College Hill, 4:30 p.m. (Western Hills High School)

Western Hills vs. Winton Woods, 7 p.m. (Western Hills High School)

Tuesday, April 1

Anderson vs. Campbell County, 2 p.m. (Northern Kentucky University)

Cooper vs. Newport Central Catholic, 5 p.m. (Northern Kentucky University)

Northwest vs. Talawanda, 5 p.m. (Crosley Field, Blue Ash)

Wednesday, April 2

Batesville vs. South Dearborn, 4:30 p.m. (Harrison High School)

Harrison vs. Lawrenceburg, 7 p.m. (Harrison High School)

Friday, April 4

Madeira vs. Wyoming, 4:30 p.m. (Crosley Field, Blue Ash)

Bishop Fenwick vs. McNicholas, 7 p.m. (Crosley Field, Blue Ash)

Monday, April 7

Boone County vs. Scott, 2 p.m. (Northern Kentucky University)

Covington Catholic vs. Dixie Heights, 5 p.m. (Northern Kentucky University)

Milford vs. Turpin, 4:30 p.m. (University of Cincinnati)

Bethel-Tate vs. New Richmond, 7 p.m. (University of Cincinnati)

Indian Hill vs. Taylor, 7 p.m. (Western Hills High School)

Tuesday, April 8

Elder vs. La Salle, 4:30 p.m. (Prasco Park, Mason)

Moeller vs. St. Xavier, 7 p.m. (Prasco Park, Mason)

Wednesday, April 9

Beechwood vs. Conner, 11 a.m. (Northern Kentucky University)

Ryle vs. Simon Kenton, 2 p.m. (Northern Kentucky University)

Highlands vs. Holy Cross, 5 p.m. (Northern Kentucky University)

Middletown vs. Sycamore, 4:30 p.m. (Legacy Field at Prasco Park, Mason)

Hamilton vs. Lakota East, 7 p.m. (Legacy Field at Prasco Park, Mason)

Lakota West vs. Mason, 7 p.m. (Prasco Park, Mason)

Mariemont vs. Reading, 4:30 p.m. (University of Cincinnati)

CHCA vs. Loveland, 7 p.m. (University of Cincinnati)

Thursday, April 10

Oak Hills vs. Princeton, 4:30 p.m. (Legacy Field at Prasco Park, Mason)

Colerain vs. Fairfield, 7 p.m. (Prasco Park, Mason)

Kings vs. Lebanon, 7 p.m. (Crosley Field, Blue Ash)

Friday, April 11

Batavia vs. Clermont Northeastern, 5 p.m. (Legacy Field at Prasco Park, Mason)

Cincinnati Christian vs. Summit Country Day, 7:30 p.m. (Prasco Park, Mason)

Monroe vs. Walnut Hills, 7 p.m. (P&G MLB Cincinnati Urban Youth Academy, Roselawn)

Saturday, April 12

Ross vs. Waynesville, 2:30 p.m. (Miami University)

Edgewood vs. West Carrollton, 5 p.m. (Miami University)

Thursday, April 17

Amelia vs. Glen Este, 4:30 p.m. (Midland Field)

Sunday, April 27

Clark Montessori vs. Lockland, 2 p.m. (P&G MLB Cincinnati Urban Youth Academy, Roselawn)

Aiken vs. Withrow, 3 p.m. (P&G MLB Cincinnati Urban Youth Academy, Roselawn)

Purcell Marian vs. Roger Bacon, 5 p.m. (P&G MLB Cincinnati Urban Youth Academy, Roselawn)