Springdale's Killian advances to Legion All-Star game

PITTSBURGH: Mike Killian said he was taken aback when he first ran onto the field at PNC Park.

About an hour after he ran off, he was taken aback even farther.

Killian, a Springdale Legion outfielder, was one of 21 players to make the final cut at the American Legion All-West All-Star Game Thursday morning at PNC Park.

Killian, 17, advances to the East-West All-Star Game July 29 at Riverside Stadium, Harrisburg.

After a successful individual workout, where he tied a personal-best time of 6.9 seconds in the

60-yard dash, Killian made an outstanding play to throw a runner out at third base in the simulation game.

The game featured 56 of the top players from Regions 6, 7 and 8.

Plum players Jason Schmiedel and Chris Kobielus did not advance.

A panel of college and professional scouts evaluated the players and selected four pitchers, three catchers and two from every other position.

After a lunch break, Killian heard his name called.

Like his lunch - a hot dog and snacks - his experience was all that and a bag of chips.

"I felt pretty good today," said Killian, who will be a senior at Fox Chapel High School this fall. "I was pretty surprised when they said I had made it. I was in awe of just playing here, but to make it is pretty special."

Schmiedel, a 6-foot-5 first baseman, was disappointed to miss the cut, but the blow was softened when he found out he was the youngest player in the field.

"There's always next year," said Schmiedel, 16, who will be a junior at Plum. "I enjoyed the whole experience of playing here. I'll take that with me."

Schmiedel struck out in the game, but played well at first base.

Kobielus dropped a few notches in the 60, running a 6.8 compared to his previous best of 6.6. But he played well at shortstop and made contact in his one at-bat. He flew out to center, but felt he had stated a strong case to the scouts.

"When they didn't call my name, I was kind of surprised," Kobielus, a recent Plum graduate, said. "I was like, 'Did you guys hear my name?'

"I think I did all right, but I don't think at-bats should count in this."

Kobielus faced Blackhawk standout pitcher Shawn Butler in his one plate appearance.

"Some guys faced other pitchers who aren't as good as him," Kobielus said. "I don't know if that is totally fair.

"I think I did all right. I did what I could."

Kobielus said he is considering Potomac State or Allegany College (Md.). An assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh helped him get in contact with Potomac State.

Killian, who has played catcher and shortstop at times this season for Springdale, played left and right field Thursday. His normal position is in the outfield.

"If I was going to advance, I wanted to do it as an outfielder," Killian said.

He took over as Springdale's catcher when Derek Evans went out with an illness.

He was a full-time outfielder at Fox Chapel this past season.

Killian is not the first Springdale player to reach the state showcase. Two years ago, catcher Phil Sabatini, now at Ohio University, advanced. In 1993, Steve Sweeney, also a catcher, reached the East-West game.

Sweeney is the son of Springdale manager Frank Sweeney, who was pleased with, but not surprised by Killian's performance. Sweeney said Killian probably could have qualified as a catcher, had he decided to try.

"Mike is a good athlete, he has such good baseball instincts," Sweeney said. "He is one of those players who would do anything to help the team win."

And that is what Killian will try to do when Springdale (18-11-1) opens the Allegheny County playoffs at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Fox Chapel High School field.

Playoff pairings will be announced at 7:30 p.m. today at Robinson Legion.

Plum also qualified and will open play Saturday in the double-elimination tournament.

Notes: Killian flew out to left in his at-bat. ... Pine-Richland catcher Neil Walker was named Most Valuable Player after throwing out a number of potential base-stealers during the game. He threw out three consecutive runners at one point. ... Pirates general manager David Littlefield made an appearance and watched some of the game.

The following players from Regions 6, 7 and 8 advanced to the annual East-West American Legion All-Star Game July 29 in Harrisburg:

Bryan G. Hagerick, OF, Somerset
Brian Hart, OF, Mars
Jarrell Jackson, OF, Altoona
Mike Killian, OF, Springdale
Travid Laird, OF, LLV
Marvin J. Parsons, Jr., OF, Bedford
Douglas J. McNulty, 1B, Homer City
Santino Slaboda, 1B, Uniontown
Matthew Czarnecki, 2B, Riverside
Tony Marciante, 2B, Connellsville
Brian Kimutis, SS, Akron
Jonathan Lowry, SS, Riverside
Jim Hyland, 3B, Swissvale
Jeremy Potter, 3B, Philipsburg
Derek C. Mechling, C, Homer City
Neil Walker, C, Pine-Richland
Nicholas J. Wendell, C, Bedford
Shawn Butler, P, Blackhawk
Brian Omogrosso, P, Blackhawk
Michael Finocchi, P, Baldwin
Kevin Ricciuti, P, Ellwood City