Swingman Classic showcases the best of HBCU experience as American league takes down National league
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In the first ever HBCU Swingman Classic, an event that will now take place annually during MLB All-Star weekend, the squad listed as the American League used a late go-ahead score on a wild pitch to beat the National League. With a crowd of over 15,000 in attendance for the event that featured a drum line, dancing, a DJ out in centerfield, and a historic atmosphere, the HBCU Swingman Classic will be a successful event for years to come as the opportunity for athletes that previously wouldn’t have gotten it grows and expands, similar to how the crowds will. While the game itself was a thriller, with Randy Flores scoring on a wild pitch by Jesse Caver, the atmosphere and environment created is what many will remember forever.
“We were just talking and we’re coming up here, and just the energy that you feel in the ballpark. We’ve been around these kids for the last couple of days, being able to just look into their eyes and see the excitement that they had even prior to the game, it’s a joy. ”
Pregame festivities included an HBCU college fair, a drum line, a dance performance, special player introductions, Andre Dawson throwing out the first pitch, and more (Photos by Susan Fried)
Ebs and flows
With the way that things went throughout the first four innings of the game, it seemed as though the American League was set to run away with this ballgame. With Ty Jackson (FAMU) singling and Corey King getting hit by a pitch (ASU), a Keylon Mack (GSU) walk loaded the bases with only one out. As the National League’s Phillip Bryant (GSU) was finally able to have an opposing hitter put the ball in play, it wouldn’t help much as a sacrifice fly by Daalen Adderly (TXSO) to left field scored Jackson from third to get things started. Bryant continued to struggle, hitting Ty Hill (JSU) with a pitch to load the bases once again, followed by an Irvin Escobar walk to score the second run of the game for the American League. Bryant used a curveball to strikeout his GSU teammate Kyle Walker to finally get out of the bottom of the first inning.
The game went a bit quiet, runs wise from that point on as the two teams seemed to let the nerves calm down and feel each other out as things went along. The American league tacked on a third run in the bottom of the fourth inning, as National League pitcher Hunter Viets (FAMU) loaded the bases, with Daalen Adderley singling to score Hylan Hall (BCK) from third. It didn’t take long for the National League to kick into gear, though, as the top of the fifth saw them climb back into the game with two runs of their own on back-to-back singles from Camden Jackson (NCAT) and Gustavo Nava-Sanchez (SU) and an Ali LaPread (ASU). A two-inning cool off took place before the National League tied things up in the top of the eighth inning with an Alexander Olivo (TXSO) sacrifice fly to score Jaylen Armstong (SU), who had singled earlier in the inning. They couldn't get the go-ahead run, but they had tied stormed their way back.
Game action as the American league group beat the National league group (Photos by Susan Fried)
Making the most of his opportunity
The eventual MVP of this ballgame only had one plate appearance in the ballgame, but the way that Randy Flores (ASU) took advantage of that small window ended up helping his team win and impressing both head coaches in the game. After the National League had tied things up in the top of the eighth inning, the American League got to work to respond to blowing their three-run lead. After Michael Dorcean (CSU) popped out, Flores doubled to right field. Flores stole third base on the next plate appearance, immediately putting his team in position to get the go-ahead run across. With Lawrence Noble (UAPB) in the batter's box as a pinch hitter for Jalen Niles (FAMU), National League pitcher Jesse Caver (JSU) threw a wild pitch that allowed Flores to score, giving his team the lead that they’d never lose.
A crowd of 15,000+ showed up to witness the first-ever HBCU Swingman Classic (Photos by Susan Fried)
Pulling out all the stops for the historic night
Prior to the ballgame starting, there were numerous different ways that the show became even more spectacular for the first ever incarnation of this event. Special renditions of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the National Anthem of the United States of America were performed, with the latter by former New York Mets draftee turned artist Todd Dulaney serenading the crowd. With dancing on the main concourse as soon as fans entered the ballpark, an HBCU college fair taking place across the main level, the “Dolls & Gents” drum line performing during the player introductions, and those same introductions being conducted as if this game was a World Series contest? All signs that this event was made to uplift these athletes and treat them with the respect and class that they deserve.
In addition to the pregame festivities, special chefs from Bethune Cookman and Howard University curated special meals for the night. At the walkoff market locations at the ballpark, fans could get prepackaged food and snacks from locally black-owned businesses such as Shikorina Pastries, Chaztown Jerky, and Lanier’s fine candies. That big feature, postgame wise, was the fireworks spectacular that went to the tune of a playlist curated by Ken Griffey Jr. Here is the list of songs that he selected to go along with the fireworks show
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's “Fire”
Sir Mix-a-Lot's “Jump on It”
Soundgarden's “Spoonman”
Parliament's “Flash Light”
Pearl Jam's “Even Flow”
Zapp's “More Bounce to the Ounce”
Nirvana's “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' “Can't Hold Us” ft. Ray Dalton
What’s next?
Regarding MLB All-Star Week, tomorrow is a double-header of sorts for the events taking place, as the MLB Futures game gets the day started with a start time of 4PM PST as Mariners prospects Jonatan Clase and Harry Ford represent Seattle amongst the best young players in all minor league baseball. After the conclusion of that event, and depending on how long it lasts, the Celebrity Softball game will take place with an approximate start time of 7:15PM PST. In terms of these athletes that we witnessed in the first ever HBCU Swingman Classic? For some, they may have done enough to have gained interest from a scout that watched the game, and they may see their name called in Sunday’s MLB Draft. For others, it’s back to the grind of the offseason as they prepare for the next collegiate season.