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. Â “I didn’t expect to be winning this, but I’m pretty pumped.” Â 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. Â 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. Â 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.
