Historic Mike Carter Field in Tyler is once again the setting for one of the longest running baseball tournaments in East Texas. The Rose City Classic celebrates its 22nd year and will feature 16 games in three days.

The action begins at 10 a.m. today with Nacogdoches and Sulphur Springs, while Forney and Hallsville play the only game not at Mike Carter Field with the Jackrabbits and Bobcats at UT Tyler’s Irwin Field at 11 a.m.

“We are excited about the group of teams coming in,” Lee coach David Howard said. “We should see some exciting high school baseball out here at Mike Carter.”

Robert E. Lee is the host, with the Red Raiders (1-0) coming off an 8-1 win over Marshall on Tuesday in their season opener.

The rest of the field is comprised of Forney, Hallsville, Nacogdoches, Sulphur Springs, Lufkin Hudson, Carthage and Kilgore.

The three-day tournament was changed to a classic years ago to accommodate teams in the same district that did not want to meet. Each of the eight teams will play four games.

“Our guys look forward to the Rose City Classic and get a chance to play four games (in three days),” Howard said. “Hallsville always has a good team and Forney has had a good run the last couple years at the Rose City Classic. Sulphur Springs is looking to have a good year and Carthage and Lufkin Hudson are two of the top 3A programs in the state.”

Howard said the only thing that can dampen the festivities is Mother Nature, as the forecast shows rain on Thursday morning.

“We have the tarp on (the field) at Mike Carter and we will just adjust the schedule (accordingly),” Howard said.

 

22nd Annual Rose City Classic Schedule

At Mike Carter Field

Thursday

Game 1: *Forney vs. Hallsville, 11 a.m.

Game 2: Nacogdoches vs. Sulphur Springs, 10 a.m.

Game 3: Robert E. Lee vs. Sulphur Springs, 12:15 p.m.

Game 4: Nacogdoches vs. Lufkin Hudson, 2:30 p.m.

Game 5: Carthage vs. Kilgore, 4:45 p.m.

Game 6: Robert E. Lee vs. Kilgore, 7 p.m.

Friday

Game 7: Nacogdoches vs. Hallsville, 10 a.m.

Game 8: Lufkin Hudson vs. Sulphur Springs, 12:15 p.m.

Game 9: Carthage vs. Forney, 2:30 p.m.

Game 10: Robert E. Lee vs. Forney, 4:45 p.m.

Game 11: Lufkin Hudson vs. Kilgore, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Game 12: Lufkin Hudson vs. Forney, 10 a.m.

Game 13: Kilgore vs. Hallsville, 12:15 p.m.

Game 14: Robert E. Lee vs. Nacogdoches, 2:30 p.m.

Game 15: Carthage vs. Hallsville, 4:45 p.m.

Game 16: Carthage vs. Sulphur Springs, 7 p.m.

* First game will be played at UT Tyler’s Irwin Field

 

A quick glance at the teams in this year’s classic:

Forney Jackrabbits

2012 record: 21-6 (lost in 4A bi-district round)

This year so far: 1-0-1

Last year in RSC: 3-1

 

Hallsville Bobcats

Last year’s record: 23-8 (lost in 4A area round)

This year so far: 0-0

Last year in RSC: 2-2

 

Nacogdoches Dragons

2012 record: 14-10 (lost in 4A area round)

This year so far: 0-0

Last year in RSC: 1-3

 

Sulphur Springs Wildcats

2012 record: 16-11 (lost in 4A bi-district round)

This year so far: 0-0

Last year in RSC: 1-3

 

Robert E. Lee Red Raiders

2012 record: 15-14 (lost in 5A bi-district round)

This year so far: 1-0

Last year in RSC: 2-2

 

Lufkin Hudson Hornets

2012 record: 20-11-1 (lost in 3A area round)

This year so far: 0-0

Last year in RSC: DNP

 

Carthage Bulldogs

2012 record: 28-5 (lost in area round)

This year so far: 1-0

Last year in RSC: 4-0

 

Kilgore Bulldogs

2012 record: 13-13

This year so far: 0-1

Last year in RSC: 2-2