By Derick Ramos
The stars of the American Association took the field at Shaw Park as Winnipeg played host to the 2014 Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries All Star Game. The two day event showcased the skills and talents of the league’s best stars that kicked off with an exciting skills competition and closed with a game between Team North and Team South.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes were well represented with six players representing Team North. Tyler Kuhn, Luis Alen, Donnie Webb, Casey Haerther, Chris Kissock, and Filipino-American Ryan Pineda were selected to represent the ‘Fish’. Pineda showed off his lightning speed as he participated in the base running event.
Fans were treated to a thrilling home run derby where Gary SouthShore RailCat utility player, Craig Maddox, stole the show with a 10-4 victory in the finals.
Comical mascots, live music, and an entertaining ball game highlighted the second day of the festivities. The day opened up with a luncheon with Hall of Fame Canadian pitcher Ferguson Jenkins as the keynote speaker. Jenkins took park in the ceremonial first pitch later in the evening to get the All-Star game underway.
Team South showed off their great pitching for nine innings limiting Team North to just two hits en route to a 7-0 blowout victory. Devin Goodwin of the Laredo Lemurs provided the offensive spark for the South hitting a double and solo homerun that proved to be the game winning run. Goodwin was selected the Most Valuable Player of the game. Goldeyes Donnie Webb was the lone bright spot for Team North providing a double.
Winnipeg may be known as a hockey town but these past two days have shown that baseball fever is alive and well.
Photos by Ron Cantiveros | Filipino
