MONROE - Monroe baseball ace lefty Mike Demianiuk will return home from a North Carolina vacation today, then pack his glove and bags for Milwaukee.
Demianiuk is one of 54 players selected for the American Legion baseball All-Star game Sunday at Miller Park.
"I was a little bit amazed," Demianiuk said. "It's quite an honor to play in that game. I am so thankful to be nominated. There are so many good players."
Demianiuk will play on the South All-Star team in the game that immediately follows the 1:05 p.m. Milwaukee Brewers-Houston Astros game.
Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy was to be part of the pre-game celebration as the league's honorary chairman and take photos with each team. However, with Hardy's demotion to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, it is uncertain if he will attend the game.
In addition to making a $5,000 donation to the program through Brewers Charities, Hardy also donated some autographed items that were raffled off to raise funds. A portion of Hardy's donation has gone toward raising the scholarship amount awarded to a Legion Baseball Player and the remainder has been used to defray costs associated with conducting the Legion All-Star Day activities.
Demianiuk hopes to get a chance to pitch, but he would be content just to get in the game and play in the field.
"I'm just so excited to walk out on a Major League Baseball field with so many other good players and enjoy the game," he said. "I don't know if I will get this opportunity again. I just want to take advantage of it."
Demianiuk is one of 54 players selected for the American Legion baseball All-Star game Sunday at Miller Park.
"I was a little bit amazed," Demianiuk said. "It's quite an honor to play in that game. I am so thankful to be nominated. There are so many good players."
Demianiuk will play on the South All-Star team in the game that immediately follows the 1:05 p.m. Milwaukee Brewers-Houston Astros game.
Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy was to be part of the pre-game celebration as the league's honorary chairman and take photos with each team. However, with Hardy's demotion to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, it is uncertain if he will attend the game.
In addition to making a $5,000 donation to the program through Brewers Charities, Hardy also donated some autographed items that were raffled off to raise funds. A portion of Hardy's donation has gone toward raising the scholarship amount awarded to a Legion Baseball Player and the remainder has been used to defray costs associated with conducting the Legion All-Star Day activities.
Demianiuk hopes to get a chance to pitch, but he would be content just to get in the game and play in the field.
"I'm just so excited to walk out on a Major League Baseball field with so many other good players and enjoy the game," he said. "I don't know if I will get this opportunity again. I just want to take advantage of it."
