Illinois, Missouri softball to square off in all-star game

Some of the best high school-aged softball players in the two-state region will showcase their skills in the American Softball Association Illinois-Missouri all-star games.

Two games will be played at St. Louis University Wednesday beginning with a 6 p.m. contest of incoming high school juniors. A senior game will follow at about 8 p.m.

The annual event was launched in 2012 to "celebrate" the accomlishments of the area's best female softball players. It's grown into something more, said ASA player representative and umpire chief Greg Prohm.

"Because the teams are split by residency, some girls who play on ASA teams in St. Louis but live in Illinois, may end up playing against some of their normal teammates, and with girls they compete against in high school,” Prohm said. “The girls are proud to be chosen to represent their state and bragging rights are a big deal to them. It's fun, but it’s competitive. The girls play hard.”

The players are not selected based on their performances in high school, but from their ASA summer teams. They are divided based on residency, not where their team plays its home games.

All-Star game nominations come from the coaches and players are selected by the All-Star Game managers. Managers are selected based on their success in ASA-sanctioned tournaments.

"We do get some college coaches who attend, but most of the girls already have made their commitments," Prohm said. "The event is more about getting these girls together and celebrating their hard workd and all they have accomplished so far in their careers."

The event includes skills competitions for pre-registered players from 10U to 14U. Those begin at 4:30 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students.

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 4:18 PM with the headline "Illinois, Missouri softball to square off in all-star game."