HONORS CONTINUE TO ROLL IN FOR RICHIE SHAFFER

Providence High School rising senior Richie Shaffer has filled more than one room in his home with honors from his baseball achievements.  The 2008 Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Player of the Year recently added one more honor, one that includes a trip to California to play in the world famous Dodger Stadium. 

Richie was honored by Aflac during an on-field presentation held at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves.  Richie has been selected to the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game roster. Along with ten other high school stars, Richie was honored by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who presented them with their official team jerseys.

The premier high school All-American game in the country, the Aflac All-American Game will take place Saturday, Aug. 9 in Dodger Stadium and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net at noon Pacific Time.

"We are thrilled to have such a great group of future stars added to the Aflac All-American roster," said Al Johnson, Vice President for Marketing Services for Aflac. "I am certain the kids are as excited as we are to take this game to the next level by hosting it at historic Dodger Stadium."

The annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game showcases 38 of the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Aflac All-Americans are chosen by the experts at Perfect Game USA, and in consultation with the staff at Baseball America.

As part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, all game proceeds from the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game will benefit ThinkCure, the official charity of the Dodgers, which supports critical cancer research at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Since 2005, the game has generated nearly $525,000 for charity.

Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith will return as this year's honorary chairman, and in addition to promoting the game, will be on-site in Los Angeles for game week activities. This is the second consecutive year that Smith has served as honorary chairman. Past honorary chairmen have included Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson (2006), Cal Ripken (2004-05) and Stan Musial (2003).

The Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game is considered the country's marquee prep All-American event. All participants must have just completed their junior year of high school, be in good academic standing and display redeeming qualities off the field that embody the ideals of the sport of baseball, including discipline, determination and hard work.

The South Charlotte Sports Report congratulates Richie Shaffer on this outstanding honor and we wish him the best with his visit to Dodger Stadium.