Sunshine State standouts honored at Tropicana Field

Sunshine State standouts honored at Tropicana Field

Prep stars named to 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game Roster

Aflac announced during an on-field presentation held at Tropicana Field on July 6, that INF Scooter Gennett (Sarasota HS) of Sarasota, Fla.; INF/RHP Mychal Givens (Plant HS) of Tampa, Fla.; C/RHP Austin Maddox (Eagle's View Academy) of Jacksonville, Fla.; INF/OF LeVon Washington (Gainesville HS) of Gainesville, Fla.; and C/INF Michael Zunino (Mariner HS) of Cape Coral, Fla. have been selected to the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game roster. The five stars were honored by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and Tampa Bay relief pitcher Dan Wheeler, who presented them with their official team jerseys.

The premiere high school All-American game in the country, the Aflac All-American Game will take place Saturday, Aug. 9 in Dodger Stadium and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net at noon Pacific Time.

"We are thrilled to have such a great group of future stars added to the Aflac All-American roster," said Al Johnson, Vice President for Marketing Services for Aflac. "I am certain the kids are as excited we are to take this game to the next level by hosting it at historic Dodger Stadium."

The annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game showcases 38 of the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Aflac All-Americans are chosen by the experts at our official selection partner, Perfect Game USA, and receive the benefit from the game's relationship with media partner Baseball America, baseball's most influential magazine.

As part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, all game proceeds from the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game will benefit ThinkCure, the official charity of the Dodgers, which supports critical cancer research at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Since 2005, the game has generated nearly $525,000 for charity.

Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith will return as this year's honorary chairman, and in addition to promoting the game, will be on-site in Los Angeles for game week activities. This is the second consecutive year that Smith has served as honorary chairman. Past honorary chairmen have included Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson (2006), Cal Ripken (2004-05) and Stan Musial (2003).

The Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game is considered the country's marquee prep All-American event. All participants must have just completed their junior year of high school, be in good academic standing and display redeeming qualities off the field that embody the ideals of the sport of baseball, including discipline, determination and hard work.