Derek Foyt’s encore performance at Comerica Park wasn’t quite the follow-up he had hoped for.
Foyt, a 2005 Brandon High School graduate and first team Division 2 All-State selection, participated in the High School All-Star Invitational Aug. 4 at Comerica Park in Detroit, a part of the Detroit Tigers? tribute to the Negro Leagues during their Aug. 5-7 series against the Cleveland Indians.
The teams were divided into American and National League teams, and Foyt was the starting right fielder for the American League team, which earned a 7-5 win against the National League team.
However, Foyt did not have a productive day at the plate, going 0-for-3. In his previous trip to Comerica at the East-West High School All-Star Game June 23, Foyt went 1-for-2 with a run scored for the East team.
‘I didn’t have the greatest day,? Foyt said.
Foyt said there wasn’t necessarily any set pattern in dividing up the two teams by location of their home schools; rather, the game officials just wanted to make sure there were players from each position on both teams.
He further said about 10 of the players who took part in the June 23 All-Star Game also took part in the Aug. 4 game.
Although Foyt said ‘all the anxiety of playing there was gone? compared to his first time playing in Comerica Park, he said it was still a thrill to play there.
‘Most people don’t get to play there once, let alone twice,? he said. ‘I think the first one was a little more organized. There were a lot more people there for the first game. The first game, we had the best kids from the state, while for this game, some of those kids were playing on travel baseball teams and couldn’t make it.?
Foyt said one particular pitcher from Birmingham Groves, on the National League team, gave him trouble.
‘He threw me a fastball and a curve for strikes,? Foyt said. ‘Then he threw me a sinker. I went for it and it got by the catcher, then I advanced to first on an error.?
Foyt is on his way to Saginaw Valley State University for the 2005-06 school year. He has accepted an offer to join the Cardinals? baseball program as a preferred walk-on player, and will look to make the Cardinals? lineup as an outfielder.