Amateur Baseball to Center Stage

CORPUS CHRISTI - Twelve games in 2012.

That's an easy number for Coastal Bend high school baseball fans to remember as the Corpus Christi Hooks roll out the welcome mat for another spring at Whataburger Field.

Some may not define Monday, February 20 as spring, but that's when 2010 Class 5A state champion and 2011 state semifinalist Carroll faces perennial 4A power Moody at 6:30 on the first day teams can play for real in the state of Texas. Twenty-four hours later, it's a 4A duel between Gregory-Portland and Tuloso-Midway as playoff contenders from neighboring districts square off.

After Texas A&M-Corpus Christi hosts Nebraska, UNLV and Utah in the Kleberg Bank College Classic the following weekend (Feb. 24-25-26), Carroll returns for a date with Mission Sharyland on Tuesday, February 28. Saturday, March 3, brings semifinal and final action in the annual MIRA'S Sports and More Classic, a project of the Corpus Christi Coaches Association.

Then the schedule transitions into a nice weeknight rhythm with six games in 12 days. Ray and King resume their series after a one-year hiatus as part of a split doubleheader with Flour Bluff and Port Lavaca Calhoun on Monday, March 12. 2A Odem and 3A Sinton, just eight miles (13 kilometers) apart, meet on the 14th.

3A district battles between Mathis and Aransas Pass (March 20) and Robstown and Miller (March 23) accent the calendar's final week. Two-time defending TAPPS 4A state champion John Paul plays its first-ever game at Whataburger Field on March 22 vs. Beeville Jones.

"High school baseball in South Texas is all about community," Hooks communications director Matt Rogers said. "Coaches and players are always so respectful and grateful when they play here, but it's our privilege and honor to host them and their fans at Whataburger Field."

The Hooks have hosted 63 high school games at the venue since 2006.

With the exception of Carroll-Moody, tickets for all high school games go on sale the day of the event. Tiger and Trojan fans can purchase tickets beginning Friday, February 17, at the Whataburger Field Box Office.

Kleberg Bank College Classic tickets go on sale February 3.

2012 Whataburger Field Amateur Schedule

February 20 -- Carroll at Moody, 6:30 -- $5/$3 ages 4-14

February 21 -- Gregory-Portland at Tuloso-Midway, 6:30 -- all tickets $5     

February 24-26 -- Kleberg Bank College Classic -- $10/$5 ages 4-12
(Nebraska, UNLV, Utah, Islanders) | packages $24/$12

Friday
Utah vs. Nebraska, 2
UNLV at Islanders, 6
 
Saturday
UNLV vs. Utah, 11
Nebraska vs. Utah, 3
Nebraska at Islanders, 7
 
Sunday
Nebraska vs. UNLV, 11
Utah at Islanders, 3

second club listed is home team

February 28 -- Mission Sharyland at Carroll, 6:30 -- $5/$3

March 3 -- MIRA'S Tournament - Final Day -- $6/$4
Semifinal, 10
Semifinal, 12:30                                              
Final, 3
                                               
*March 12 -- Ray at King, 4 -- $5/$3 / Flour Bluff at Port Lavaca Calhoun, 7 -- $5
 *separate admission required; stadium will be cleared after first game

 March 14 -- Odem at Sinton, 6:30 -- $5

March 20 -- Mathis at Aransas Pass, 6:30 -- $5

March 22 -- Beeville Jones at John Paul II, 6:30 -- $5

March 23 -- Robstown at Miller, 6:30 -- $5/$3

April 28 -- Incarnate Word at Texas A&M-Kingsville (DH), 1:00