Aycock's Narron selected to All-Star Game
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on August 14, 2009 1:46 PM
PIKEVILLE -- Connor Narron's dream became reality sooner than expected.
Born in a baseball family, he's always fantasized about playing in a Major League stadium someday.
Now, he gets his chance.
Narron, a rising senior at Charles B. Aycock, has been selected to play in the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic in San Diego. First pitch is Sunday at 8 p.m. on the PETCO Park diamond and the contest will be televised live on FSN.
A shortstop, Narron has been in San Diego since Wednesday. The players visited a children's hospital and flexed their muscles in a home run derby.
"It's going to be a great time because it's going to be the best high school players in the whole country," said Narron, who has verbally committed to North Carolina. "Anytime you get to play in a big league ballpark it's fun."
Narron spent the summer playing for a showcase team called the Dirtbags. It was at a tournament in Florida where he began to turn heads and was asked to participate in this weekend's All-Star Game.
This spring at C.B. Aycock, Narron batted .414 with 31 RBI, slugged six home runs and compiled a .610 on-base percentage. He's looking forward to competing against some of the nation's best high school players.
"Whenever you're around the best players in the country that shows where people are from different states and where you are talent wise," said Narron. "The pitching is a whole lot better than seeing 80 miles an hour or something in high school as opposed to seeing 90 miles an hour or something there. It's a lot better competition than in high school."
During his high school career, Narron helped Aycock claim the 3-A state championship in 2007 and played on Wayne County Post 11's state runner-up team the N.C. Senior American Legion tournament. However, Narron says playing in the All-Star Classic is right next to winning the state championship.
"It's definitely a big deal," said Narron. "Besides the state championship we won when I was in the ninth grade this is right at the top of the list."
Narron eagerly awaits next spring and hopes he can put together a solid season that will attract Major League scouts, and lead to getting drafted.
"I'm hoping to have a good senior season and be a first-round draft pick," said Narron.