Carpenter Cup comes to Coca-Cola Park

FROM THE MORNING CALL

The Carpenter Cup is about to get another fill. With what you ask?

Why Coca-Cola of course.

The Carpenter Cup Classic, which began in 1986, is a platform to help promote top high school baseball players from the tri-state area and make them more accessible to pro scouts and college recruiters. The Cup has decided on a change of scenery for its 2011 tourney; in the past all games during the weeklong baseball showcase sponsored by the Philadelphia Phillies were typically held in Philadelphia.

This year, however, the tournament made up of 16 all-star teams from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware celebrates its 26th year and comes to Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate.

"It's an honor that the Triple-A franchise has been recognized and incorporated into the tournament," said J.F. Pirro, the founder and general manager of the Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup team. "It's something that myself and others have pushed for — to return the tournament to professional stadiums including Phillies minor league stadiums."

The 3-year old stadium will host the tournament's quarterfinal round for the first time and marks only the second time that the Cup has played any of its games outside of Philadelphia — a few games were played in Delaware in 1999 because of scheduling conflicts.

"We are happy to bring the Carpenter Cup to Coca-Cola Park," said Meghan Essman, director of Fan Development & Educational Programs for the Phillies. "Playing in this venue is an opportunity for the players and their fans to be exposed to another great facility and team within the Phillies family."

The opening round of the tournament was held at Ashburn Field at Philadelphia's FDR Park earlier in the week and this weekend's winners will advance to the Cup semifinals at Citizens Bank Park on Monday.

Coca-Cola Park will host games on Friday and Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. The Lehigh Valley Cup team will play in the first game Friday against Olympic-Colonial from New Jersey. Lehigh Valley is coming off a 12-0 thrashing over Philadelphia Public on Monday.

"The bulk of our lineup has played there, I think that is an advantage," Pirro said. Many players on the Lehigh Valley roster have played with their high school teams at Coca-Cola Park. "And we don't have to make the haul to Philadelphia, which is also an advantage."

It was decided by the Executive Committee that the quarterfinal round of the Carpenter Cup be moved to Coca-Cola Park to incorporate an additional venue. The committee is made up of Phillies personnel, Carpenter Cup founders and veteran Carpenter Cup coaches.

The trip to Coca-Cola Park does mean a longer commute for some teams, especially ones coming from southern New Jersey and Delaware, but so far no complaints have risen and the plan will be re-evaluated for the 2012 tournament.

There is a one-time fee of $5 for all games at Coca-Cola Park. Fans buying a ticket on Friday can use that same ticket on Saturday. There will be no fee for parking and concessions will be open.

The Carpenter Cup championship game will be held at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday. The Cup has used the Phillies' home stadium for its semifinals and championship game since it opened in 2004.