Major League scout Taylor Cameron from the Texas Rangers talks to players before the 57th annual Orange County All-Star Baseball Game Wednesday at the Great Park. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt and Jacob Ramos, OC Sports Zone)

Organizers of the 57th annual Orange County All-Star Baseball Game at the Great Park wanted the event to be more than just a game.

Officials with the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, including chairman Guy Lemmon and foundation members Dick Owens (the game director) and Rex Lyon, looks like they accomplished that.

Officials were pleased with the improved attendance figures at the game, estimated at 600. This was the second year that the Ryan Lemmon Foundation ran the game.

The South won its third game in a row over the North, 3-1.

Players took part in pre-game drills which were open to the public, Major League scout Taylor Cameron addressed players before the game, a special award was given to Owens and there was a special appearance by Omaha the Bat Dog who picked up bats during the game and returned them to the dugout.

In addition, members of two youth baseball teams appeared on field for pre-game activities and Irvine city officials attended the game and were on the field for pre-game ceremonies.

A practice at Irvine Valley College started the week.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Dick Owens (middle) of the Ryan Lemmon Foundation was presented a proclamation by Don Wagner, chairman of the OC Board of Supervisors (right). Irvine City Councilman James Mai (left) also praised Owens.

Dick Owens (middle), Don Wagner (left) and James Mai throw out the first pitch.
PHOTO: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone

Ryan Lemmon Foundation members (from left) Rex Lyon, Dick Owens and Guy Lemmon ran the OC All-Star game with the help of many volunteers.

Youth baseball players from the county joined the all-stars on the field.

The South all-stars line up for introductions.
PHOTO: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone

The North team before Wednesday’s game.
PHOTO: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone

The North’s Mikey Patterson of Fountain Valley is introduced.

Fans gather before Wednesday’s all-star game at Great Park.

The Colts youth baseball team takes the field.

North coaches Ricardo Cepeda (red jacket) and Bob Marshall talk to players including Miles Scott of Servite (No. 1) and Trevor Goldenetz of Huntington Beach.

Nico Rodriguez of Brea Olinda (No. 34) was among the North pitchers. Also pictured No. 1 Miles Scott of Servite.

Santa Margarita coach Chris Malec (right) watches practice as Benji Medure of Huntington Beach and Burt Call of Villa Park exchange handshakes.

Aliso Niguel’s Jarett Sabol is congratulated by Dick Owens (left) and Rex Lyon of the the Ryan Lemmon Foundation after being named South MVP.
PHOTO: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone

Tyler Peshke (left) and Mikey Patterson of Fountain Valley, earlier this week, were named to the North all-star team.

Adam Kunin (left) and Jacob Ramos of OC Sports Zone.

Mr. Baseball Award

Dick Owens, who has also been the tournament director for the Ryan Lemmon Invitational spring tournament since the start, was honored before the game and presented the Mr. Baseball Award. He also threw out the opening pitch.

Don Wagner, chairman of the Orange County supervisors, praised Owen’s years of volunteer work in helping to build baseball in Irvine and Orange County and presented him with a proclamation. Irvine City Irvine Vice Mayor James Mai also praised Owens’ achievements.

“Dick Owens has been a selfless volunteer in the Irvine sports community for over 35 years,” it was noted in the game program. “His contributions have helped teach countless young men and women the values of teamwork, self-reliance and leadership.”

Owens has helped more than 50 schools in Orange County. He’s also been an active member of the Irvine Sports Committee and was instrumental in the development of the Irvine Great Park Sports Complex.

Owens has lived in Irvine since 1984. His wife Rachel was in attendance along with his son Ben Owens, baseball coach at Northwood High School.

“Behind the scenes, Dick has made a huge impact in the Orange County high school baseball community and they are forever grateful,” the program message noted.

Advice from scout

Before the game, Texas Rangers national pro scout Taylor Cameron congratulated the players for being in the game and wished them well in the game. Players from both teams were on hand for the talk.

Big player turnout

Players from Fountain Valley Tyler Peshke and Mikey Patterson along with Santa Margarita players Gavin Spiridonoff, Ben Finnegan and Brennan Bauer were at the game Wednesday. Bauer pitched in the seventh inning for the South.

Fountain Valley and Santa Margarita both lost games in the CIF So Cal Regional Wednesday afternoon but the players wanted to take part in the all-star game that night. Mater Dei players Lawson Olmstead and Brannon Thomas were also there, one day after the Monarchs lost in the regional.

Under CIF rules, players selected for the all-star game could not play if their teams were still competing in the So Cal regionals.

“They wanted to go out and enjoy the experience together and be able to get out there and play a little bit and have a little bit of fun,” said South assistant Chris Malec, head coach at Santa Margarita.

“Our season at Santa Margarita was awesome. The kids went through a lot through the course of the year, some ups and downs but ultimately continued to make an incredible run and play in an incredible atmosphere through the finish and I couldn’t be more proud of who our guys are and how they represented our school and our community.”

Barons represented

Fountain Valley players Mikey Patterson, a second baseman and Tyler Peshke, a pitcher and infielder, said they were honored to be selected for the game.

“Honestly, I’m really excited, it’s a great group of guys out here,” Patterson said in an interview before the game. “I’m real excited to see everybody play and meet new people and I’m super stoked.”

Patterson plans to play at Cerritos College next season.

“It’s obviously an honor with all these other guys out here, there is so much history in the game with all the other guys who have played in the game before me, I’m just excited,” added Peshke.

Peshke will also play at Cerritos College next season.

Reporters’ reflections

Jacob Ramos and Adam Kunin of OC Sports Zone covered their first OC all-star baseball game and shared their thoughts:

Jacob Ramos: “My favorite memory from Wednesday’s OC All-Star Game was being able to celebrate the talent that comes through Orange County baseball every year. Seeing the names and faces on the promotional poster and knowing that so many of the players I had the privilege to cover on Wednesday will go on to have successful careers was an amazing feeling. I loved shooting for the game but also enjoyed talking to Jarett Sabol (Aliso Niguel) about what’s next as he prepares for collegiate baseball at USC.

“Overall, it was an amazing experience and one of my favorites of all-time while working for OC Sports Zone. Baseball and sports are sacred and should be celebrated whenever possible. I’m grateful for the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, the City of Irvine, the OC Riptide and every team/player/program coordinator who allowed the day to come together and and gave us such great access to showcase the talent on-field.”

Note: Jacob, who joined OC Sports Zone in April, is entering his senior year at UCI. He is majoring in criminology, law and society. He has been the beat writer for New U covering UCI men’s basketball.

Adam Kunin: “The on-site staff welcomed us with open arms and made the whole experience enjoyable. My favorite memory from the night was getting to talk to some of the standout players about their experience at the OC-All Star Game.

“After the game, I had the opportunity to speak with South team MVP Jarett Sabol, North team MVP Trevor Goldenetz and Hustle Award winner Miles Scott. They were all well-spoken individuals who treated us with great care and compassion. I have no doubt that they all have bright futures ahead.”

Note: Adam joined OC Sports Zone as a summer intern in May. He will be entering his junior year at Arizona State University, majoring in journalism. He has also covered numerous sports at ASU and is editor in chief of Inferno Intel, a student run publication covering sports.

OC SPORTS ZONE TEAM: Jacob Ramos and Adam Kunin of OC Sports Zone also covered the all-star game. Jacob had an in-depth interview with South MVP Jarett Sabol and took action photos for the main story. Check out post-game interviews on X by Adam, who also provided updates.

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“I literally told my agent, ‘I would rather the play just not get done if it can’t use that song,’” the playwright laughed. She wrote Lorde a letter, explaining what the song meant, and got her green light.

Starring Sadie Sink, the staggering play about high schoolers studying “The Crucible” as the #MeToo movement arrives in their small Georgia town, earned seven Tony nominations, including best new play — the most of any this season. It’s among a group of Broadway shows that have centered the stories of young people and attracted audiences to match.

Sam Gold’s Brooklyn-rave take on “Romeo + Juliet,” nominated for best revival of a play and led by Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler with music from Jack Antonoff, drew the youngest ticket-buying audience recorded on Broadway, producers reported, with 14% of ticket purchasers aged 18-24, compared to the industry average of 3%.

The shows share some DNA: pop music (specifically the stylings of Antonoff, who also produced “Green Light”), Hollywood stars with established fanbases and stories that reflect the complexity of young adulthood.

This image released by O&M/DKC shows, from left, Maggie Kuntz, Morgan Scott, Fina Strazza and Amelia Yoo during a performance of “John Proctor Is the Villain” in New York. (Julieta Cervantes/O&M/DKC via AP)

“It was very clear that young people found our show because it was doing what theater’s supposed to do,” Gold said. “Be a mirror.”

Embracing the poetry of teenage language

The themes “John Proctor” investigates aren’t danced around (until they literally are). The girls are quick to discuss #MeToo’s impact, intersectional feminism and sexual autonomy. Their conversations, true to teenage girlhood, are laced with comedy and pop culture references — Taylor Swift, Beyonce, “Twilight,” and, of course, Lorde.

Fina Strazza, 19, portrays Beth,

a leader who is whip-smart and well

Alyah Chanelle Scott,from left, Kathryn Gallagher and Julia Lester appear in a scene from “All Nighter” in New York. (Evan Zimmerman/MurphyMade via AP)

-intentioned — but whose friendships and belief system are shaken by the play’s revelations.

“You have so much empathy and are so invested in her, but she still has these mishaps and slip-ups that young people often have,” said Strazza, nominated for best featured actor in a play. Some audience members have given her letters detailing how Beth helped them forgive themselves for how they handled similar experiences.

The script is written in prose, with frequent line breaks and infrequent capital letters. Director Danya Taymor, nominated for best direction of a play a year after winning a Tony for another teenage canon classic, “The Outsiders,” was drawn to that rhythm — and how Belflower’s depiction of adolescence captured its intensity, just as S.E. Hinton had.

“There’s something about the teenage years that is so raw,” Taymor said. “None of us can escape it.”

Classic themes, made modern

This image released by O&M/DKC shows, from left, Amelia Yoo, Morgan Scott, Sadie Sink, Fina Strazza, Nihar Duvvuri and Hagan Oliveras during a performance of “John Proctor Is the Villain” in New York. (Julieta Cervantes/O&M/DKC via AP)

During his Tony-winning production of “An Enemy of the People,” Gold found himself having conversations with young actors and theatergoers about climate change, politics and how “theater was something that people their age and younger really need in a different way, as the world is becoming so addicted to technology,” he said.

That conjured “Romeo and Juliet.” The original text “has it all in terms of what it means to inherit the future that people older than you have created,” Gold said.

Building the world of this show, with an ensemble under 30, was not unlike building “An Enemy of the People,” set in 19th century Norway, Gold said: “I think the difference is that the world that I made for this show is something that a very hungry audience had not gotten to see.”

Fans, Gold correctly predicted, were ravenous. Demand ahead of the first preview prompted a preemptive extension. Word (and bootleg video) of Connor doing a pullup to kiss Zegler made the rounds. “Man of the House,” an Antonoff-produced ballad sung by Zegler mid-show, was released as a single. With the show premiering just before the U.S. presidential election, Voters of Tomorrow even registered new voters in the lobby.

Audiences proved willing to pay: Average ticket prices hovered around $150. Cheaper rush and lottery tickets drew lines hours before the box office opened. Every week but one sold out.

This image released by Polk & Co. shows Rachel Zegler as Juliet, right, and Kit Connor as Romeo, during a performance of “Romeo + Juliet” in New York. (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman /Polk & Co. via AP)

“The show was initially really well sold because we had a cast that appealed to a really specific audience,” said producer Greg Nobile of Seaview Productions. “We continued to see the houses sell out because these audiences came, and they were all over online talking about the ways in which they actually felt seen.”

Building a Gen Z theater experience

Thomas Laub, 28, and Alyah Chanelle Scott, 27, started Runyonland Productions for that very reason.

“We both felt a lot of frustration with the industry, and the ways that we were boxed out of it as students in Michigan who were able to come to New York sparingly,” Laub said. Runyonland was launched in 2018 with the premise that highlighting new, bold voices would bring change.

This spring, Scott, known for playing Whitney in HBO’s “Sex Lives of College Girls,” acted off-Broadway in Natalie Margolin’s “All Nighter.”

This image released by O&M/DKC shows, from left, Maggie Kuntz, Morgan Scott and Amalia Yoo during a performance of “John Proctor Is the Villain” in New York. (Julieta Cervantes/O&M/DKC via AP)

“I was standing onstage and looking out and seeing the college kids that I was playing,” Scott said. “I was like, ‘I respect you so much. I want to do you proud. I want to show you a story that represents you in a way that doesn’t belittle or demean you, but uplifts you.’”

Producing “John Proctor,” Scott said, gave Runyonland the opportunity to target that audience on a Broadway scale. Belflower developed the show with students as part of a The Farm College Collaboration Project. It’s been licensed over 100 times for high school and college productions. The Broadway production’s social and influencer marketing is run by 20-somethings, too.

Previews attracted fans with a $29 ticket lottery. While average prices jumped to over $100 last week (still below the Broadway-wide average), $40 rush, lottery and standing room tickets have sold out most nights, pushing capacity over 100%. The success is validating Runyonland’s mission, Laub said.

“Alyah doesn’t believe me that I cry every time at the end,” Laub said. Scott laughs. “I just want to assure you, on the record, that I do indeed cry every time.”

Harnessing a cultural catharsis

The final scene of “John Proctor” is a reclamation fueled by rage and “Green Light.” Capturing that electricity has been key to the show’s marketing.

“The pullup (in ‘Romeo + Juliet’) is so impactful because it’s so real. It’s like so exactly what a teenage boy would do,” Taymor said. “I think when you see the girls in ‘John Proctor’ screaming … it hits you in a visceral way.” That screaming made the Playbill cover.

“In my opinion, the look and feel of that campaign feels different from a traditional theatrical campaign, and it feels a lot closer to a film campaign,” Laub said. The show’s team indeed considered the zeitgeist-infiltrating work of their sister industries, specifically studios like Neon and A24.

In May, “John Proctor is the Villain” finished its second “spirit week” with a school spirit day. Earlier events included an ice cream social — actors served Van Leeuwen — a silent disco and a banned book giveaway. For those not in their own school’s colors, the merch stand offered T-shirts, including one printed with the Walt Whitman-channeling line said by Sink’s Shelby: “I contain frickin’ multitudes.”

Julia Lawrence, 26, designed the shirt after the show’s team saw her TikTok video reimagining their traditional merch into something more like a concert tee.

“It’s just so incredible to bring Gen Z into the theater that way, especially at a time when theater has never been more important,” Lawrence said. “In a world that’s overpowered by screens, live art can be such a powerful way to find understanding.”

This image released by O&M/DKC shows Sadie Sink, left, and Amalia Yoo during a performance of “John Proctor Is the Villain” in New York. (Julieta Cervantes/O&M/DKC via AP)

LAFAYETTE, La. — The Louisiana Multi-Agency Resource Center (LaMARC) is hoping to equip local children with the tools, resources and support they need to avoid entering the juvenile justice system. The program wants to intervene before it’s too late.

“This is our diversion program, and it’s to curtail some of the crime that is happening in some these area. We see the different things that are happening, but the LaMARC is here in this community to help our kids become better,” Nicolette Gordon, public information director for the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice, told KATC.

The event featured a crawfish boil to express gratitude to everyone who contributes to the agency’s success and to celebrate the positive impact of the program.

“We’re seeing some really great numbers,” said Gordon.”They’re coming in, finding out that we have great resources, great counselors and great directors to help them strive.”

Among the program’s participants is 12-year-old Kayton Celestine, who shared his journey of improvement.

“It builds up knowledge and courage. Like a year ago, I was like, I don’t want to say bad but good at the same time, but like now I’m fully good. Now, I do good in school,” Celestine said.

For those like Celestine who may find themselves on a similar path in life, he had a message.

“Y’all don’t need to come to this program if you’re being good,” he said. “If y’all do, do your best.”

A community closet is also available at 2100 Jefferson Street, where the LaMarc program operates. The closet is named after 22-year-old Parker Anthony Romero, who died in a car crash last year.

The closet is open to any youth in the area who need food, personal hygiene items, clothes or shoes.

“I pushed my wife away, I pushed my kids away, I was a jerk” – Battier admits depression almost ruined his life after he retired from the NBA originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Basketball was everything to Shane Battier, and so when his career ended, Battier was lost. Although Shane had everything he needed to live comfortably for the rest of his life — money, fame, friends and family — not being part of a team and competing for a greater goal almost drove him crazy and ruined everything he had worked so hard for.

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It all began during his final year in the NBA when Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra started sitting him on the bench during the fourth quarter of games. In the 2014 Playoffs, Battier averaged just 2.3 points per game in 12.6 minutes of playing time. It was worse in the 2014 NBA Finals, where the former Blue Devil played just 33 minutes and scored only five points.

“Nothing was worse to me than sitting me in crunch time,” admitted Battier during an appearance on the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast. “That was my identity. It hurt me to my core. That’s when I knew I was done. I was embarrassed, and I checked out. And so when I retired, I was very cynical. And I was so sad, but I was also very cynical.”

Shane struggled after retirement

And so, after being “told without being told” that the Heat’s best chances to win would be with him on the bench rather than on the court, Battier retired following Miami’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals. Immediately, he an offer from ESPN to be one of the network’s men’s college basketball analysts.

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Looking back, Shane says that was a big mistake.

Although the job was still about basketball, it wasn’t the one the 6’8″forward was used to and not the one he truly wanted. Without the passion for what he was doing, Battier struggled on TV and was criticized. Instead of finding the relevance and purpose that he was looking for in retirement, it only made his internal struggles worse to the point that they were starting to affect his personal relationships.

“I shut people out,” Shane continued. “I was probably battling depression. I didn’t know what depression was. I never had this feeling before. But feeling very isolated. I didn’t feel anyone understood what I was going through. I felt very alone, and I pushed people away. I pushed my wife away; I pushed my kids away. And I was just a jerk. And I wasn’t like doing destructive things, It wasn’t like I was drinking every night. But I was emotionally unavailable. And I was hurt, and I was pissed off. I had all these emotions I had never associated with basketball.”

Related: “God, if you let me get through this, I won’t play no more” – Larry Bird describes the moment that made him retire for good

Being part of a basketball team again

Shane quit ESPN towards the end of 2015, and over a year later, the Heat hired him as Director of Basketball Development and Analytics. Suddenly, with an opportunity to be part of a team — his former NBA team at that — and compete for a championship, even though in a different capacity, Battier started to find his way back before his depression destroyed his life.

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However, in a surprise move, the Birmingham native resigned last year and opted to take a non-basketball position as strategic assistant to Heat CEO and close friend Nick Arison. Shane and his family also left Florida to start a new life in Charlotte. However, it wasn’t because of anything negative; it was because Battier was ready to explore new things.

“There is so much in life to experience and try my hand at,” he said. “So many interesting people around the world. I’m so fascinated about learning. I turned 46, and I feel I have so much to learn and have so much to do in the world still. I needed to go out and explore, and meet and learn. I wanted to learn new industries. It sounds very strange because I love basketball. For me to be truly happy, that’s what I need to do.”

Aside from him and his wife Heidi running his “Battier Take Charge” foundation, Shane has been busy being a professional speaker, podcast host, and most importantly, a sports dad to 16-year-old Zeke, whom he enrolled at Charlotte’s Providence Day School and is now a 6’7″ promising talent. Shane’s 13-year-old daughter, Eloise, is also a youth soccer player in Charlotte, so it’s safe to say Battier has his life back and is living it to the fullest.

Related: “I would not be able to sleep” – Shane Battier calls out players in the NBA today for missing playoff games

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.