Goss: JCA's Fellows making mark on national level

Of this and that, beginning with notes about a couple right-handed pitchers who were first-team selections on The Herald-News All-Area Baseball Team.

• Joliet Catholic right-hander Drake Fellows participated June 22-28 in USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars presented by Major League Baseball at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. The TOS includes 108 of the nation’s top players who are age-eligible for USA National Team consideration.

TOS participants form the primary pool of talent from which USA Baseball will select its 18U National Team to represent the United States at the 2015 WBSC 18U World Cup later this summer. Fellows, who will be a senior in the fall and has committed to Vanderbilt, pitched five innings in the tournament, striking out four and walking two. He joins Nick Dalesandro, who graduated from JCA this spring and also is a Herald-News first-team selection, as Hilltoppers who have played in the TOS event.

Alumni of the 18U National Team include Hall of Famer John Smoltz along with No. 1 overall draft picks Joe Mauer (2001), Delmon Young (2003), Justin Upton (2005), Luke Hochevar (2006) and Bryce Harper (2010).

Fellows also will play in the Perfect Game USA All-American Classic at Petco Park in San Diego in mid-August. Barring unforeseen developments, he projects as a potential high draft pick in 2016.

• Right-hander Steve Skolarz, who graduated this spring from Lincoln-Way West, has announced he will continue his pitching career at NCAA Division I Loyola-Marymount. He finished 8-1 this season with a 0.29 ERA.

ESPY FOR SEAN

The ESPY Awards, which recognize individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during the previous year, will be presented in a show beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC-TV.

Perhaps you recall the story of former Joliet Township baseball standout Sean Smith, who tore the patella in his right knee when he reached first base after hitting a game-tying home run for the York Revolution in the eighth inning of an Atlantic League playoff game last September against Lancaster. Instead of deferring to a pinch-runner, he hopped on one leg for the final 270 feet or so of the journey around the bases.

Smith contacted me, said he needs support from his hometown and asked if I would provide you the following link: http://shawurl.com/202e.

He would appreciate you going there, signing his petition and spreading the word on social media. Let ESPN know he deserves serious consideration for an ESPY. He thanks you.

PRO BASEBALL

The Atlanta Braves recalled pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (Minooka), a former No 1 draft pick of the Houston Astros, this week, and he appeared in relief Tuesday night in the Braves’ 4-3 victory over Milwaukee. He allowed two hits, a walk and a run in two-thirds of an inning.

Foltynewicz made nine starts in his earlier stint with the Braves. Circumstances will dictate whether he remains in the bullpen for the time being or returns soon to a role in the starting rotation.

Another recent movement involving an area player was outfielder John Ruettiger (JCA) being promoted from Single-A-Advanced Frederick to Double-A Bowie in the Baltimore organization. Ruettiger went 2 for 4 with a walk in his first game of this season with Bowie.

SULLY’S CLINIC

Our old friend and longtime University of St. Francis coach Pat Sullivan, acknowledged nationwide – make that worldwide – as an excellent speaker and teacher of the game of basketball, will present a clinic for kids grades three through eight Saturday at Smith Family YMCA.

Sullivan is a 2015 inductee to the Joliet Area Sports Hall of Fame. His clinic is open to Y members and community members. Call 815-782-0820 or visit www.jolietymca.org for information.

NITRO SCHOOL

Most of the fans who will attend the Route 66 NHRA Nationals this weekend at Route 66 Raceway are familiar with the excitement of drag racing.

For those who will see the sport for the first time, or those who want to get more familiar with the inner workings, Route 66 Raceway and the NHRA will debut “Nitro School in Nitro Alley” featuring Alan Reinhart, voice of the NHRA, along with Top Fuel driver and Illinois native TJ Zizzo.

Reinhart and Zizzo will speak to fans between nitro sessions beginning at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday adjacent to Zizzo’s pit in Nitro Alley.

KEVIN REEDY TOURNEY

Among my good friends while growing up in Rockdale were the members of the Wyss family, who lived across an open field from us.

Each year, Gina Reedy- Lindsey, one of four sisters in the family, hosts a charity table tennis tournament in memory of her late son, Kevin Reedy. Gina’s brother Roger, who still lives in this area, lends a big helping hand.

This year’s event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. Anyone interested in competing while supporting a good cause can show up there Saturday. Email csw1010thumper@yahoo.com for more information.

• Dick Goss can be reached at dgoss@shawmedia.com.