The Orlando Sports Foundation (OSF) and the Florida Collegiate Summer League (Florida League) teamed up to host the first annual Cure All-Star Baseball game this past Saturday (May 21st). The Cure All-Star baseball game gave seniors from both Orange and Seminole County one last chance to showcase their skills on the diamond before graduating in a true “best of the best” matchup. The game also gives them an opportunity to support the Orlando Sports Foundation’s mission of “Bringing Teams Together to Find a Cure for Cancer”.
Both Seminole and Orange County were able to put together some star-studded rosters with 26 players on each team (52 total) committed to play baseball at the next level. The Orange County team was headlined by: Issac Sewell (LHP, TFA) who is committed to play next year on the current #2 team in the country, Virginia Tech. Sewell was previously recognized as the Orlando Sentinel player of the year. He was joined by many other talented players including University of Miami commit Blake Cyr (MIF, Windemere), University of Florida commits Tyler Williams (C/RF, Winter Park) and William Ross (RHP, West Orange), and Florida State commits Titan Kamaka (MIF, West Orange) and Ben Barrett (3B, TFA). The Seminole team was led by University of Florida commit Luke Heyman (C, Lake Brantley). Heyman was joined by 9 of his fellow teammates from Lake Brantley including Stetson commits Landon Moran (1B/LHP) and Evan Griffs (OF/RHP) as well as FSU commit Drew Taylor (OF). Also competing for the Seminole team were Florida State commit Kyle Marasovich (INF, Seminole), University of Florida commit Gian Flores (C, Oviedo) and NC State commit Isaiah Barkett (SS/UTL, Oviedo). The event was filled with some awesome offense and defense including some big hits, home runs, stellar pitching, and some web gems on defense. By the end of it, there were 18 runs scored between the two teams with the Orange County team eventually coming out on top 11-7. 
It also served as a sincere reminder of cancers impact on our community around us that was put into clear perspective in a speech given by Seminole High coach Kenne Brown during the game. Coach Brown is all too familiar with the magnitude of the disease, as he himself is a survivor. In 2008, Kenne was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. After enduring 35 radiation treatments and 6 six hour chemo sessions, as well as having to lose his salivary glands and 17 lymph nodes, Kenne emerged as a survivor. Saturday he was kind enough to share a speech that left everyone in attendance moved and inspired to take action against cancer. The speech culminated with the message: “You being here today, these guys playing today, this is a step in the right direction toward beating cancer.”
Following the event, Florida League president Stefano Foggi had this to say: “The Florida League was honored to partner with the Orlando Sports Foundation to host the inaugural CURE Senior All-Star baseball game. This memorable game was a win all around as we were able to celebrate Senior All-Stars while providing a platform to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. I can’t thank the coaches enough from Orange and Seminole County who got behind this event, and in particular our coaches committee. The early feedback we’ve received from the players, coaches and fans has been phenomenal and we are excited to be a part of growing this event in the future to make an even bigger impact.”
Along with this, OSF representative Mark Line shared this: “The Orlando Sports Foundation is proud to have partnered with the Florida Baseball League in producing a terrific Cure All-Star Baseball Game on Saturday May 21st . The athletes particularly enjoyed playing on a team made up of players from opposing teams during the season and battling as a County Teams, either the Cure Soldiers or Cure Warriors, for their last game as a high school athlete. The parents and fans enjoyed seeing eighteen runs scored between the teams.
The mission of the Orlando Sports Foundation was front and center when the fans joined the athletes in holding up their programs with the name of a family member who had experienced cancer. This “moment of honor” for Cancer Victims and Cancer Survivors was a highlight of the event. And the players competed for more than themselves or their team…but for someone else.
This game was a fulfillment of the OSF Mission of “bringing teams together to find a Cure for Cancer.”
To see all photos from the event, please check out our Facebook page! Also, if you are interested you can see a full replay of the event here.
