FirstEnergy Stadium to Host Slate of Scholastic Games

(Reading, Pa.)----The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Baseballtown Charities will play host to a string of scholastic games this spring, beginning with the Dr. Richard Flannery King of Baseballtown Classic on Wednesday, April 3 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

For the first time, two Berks County high schools will square off under the bright lights of America's Classic Ballpark when Reading High plays Governor Mifflin in a Berks Baseball League Division I match-up at 6:05 p.m. on April 3. Admission to the game between the Red Knights and Mustangs is free of charge. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. for the inaugural classic. 

The game will be played in honor of 2013 King of Baseballtown Dr. Richard Flannery, who was instrumental in making FirstEnergy Stadium the home of Berks County high school playoffs since 2002. He also instituted the BCIAA-PAC-10 All-Star Game at the ballpark in 2004.

"Along with the Fightin Phils, we're thrilled to increase our slate of scholastic games with the addition of the King of Baseballtown Classic," said President of Baseballtown Charities Chuck Domino. "Dr. Flannery has been a consummate partner over the years, and it only makes sense to play a game in his honor featuring two of Baseballtown's most traditional teams."

Flannery, 77, who has been a fundamental figure in the Berks County high school sports scene for nearly seven decades, has served as the executive director of the Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association (BCIAA) since 1998.

Later in the spring season, the BCIAA Playoffs will once again be held in Baseballtown this year, starting with the semifinals. On Monday, May 13, the two semifinal games will be played with the first game starting at 4:00 p.m. and the second game following at 7:00 p.m. Two days later on Wednesday, May 15, the VOICES Baseballtown High School Championship will be played at 6:05 p.m.

On Saturday, June 8, the VOICES Baseballtown High School All-Star Game between the BCIAA and PAC-10 will be played at the ballpark starting at 10:00 a.m. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. for the game that features the most elite players from two of Pennsylvania's top scholastic leagues.