A long, but eventful and successful return to Lake Charles for the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series was capped off by a Home Run Derby for the 2022 and 2023 classes.
The 2022 event was won by NorCal’s Chandler Tuupo, a Gonzaga commit who homered in both the semis and the finals to capture the inaugural championship belt awarded to the winner of the event.
“It’s pretty cool,” Tuupo said. “I didn’t expect to be winning this, but I’m pretty pumped.” The first baseman out-dueled a field that featured two players from every participating team, and was one of two advance to the finals.
“I mean, I just flew in from the airport, so I didn’t think I would have that high of a chance. It was kind of tough, and the pressure was on, because there are a bunch of amazing ballplayers out here, so I just had to try my best.”
The event was a hit amongst the players, who ended taking batting practice in the indoor cages with the scheduled testing day having been scrapped due to a rainy forecast for the day. That was followed by the first-ever “Opening Ceremonies” for a Program 15 event; every player and coach on every team gathered down the lines and were welcomed to the event by a multitude of staff.
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 11 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,200 games covered in his career.
An avid card collector and sim racer, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son William, and their beloved dog, Bailey, and cat, Smokey.
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