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Friday, July 18, 2008
By Paul Valencia

Columbian Staff Writer

Kyrell Hudson will be playing baseball at Dodger Stadium next month. Then he will be in uniform at Safeco Field. A couple days later, he will hit the diamond at Wrigley Field.

He hopes it will not be the only time he visits these major league stadiums.

Hudson, an Evergreen senior-to-be, has been named to several showcase events for high school baseball players this summer, including spots on two All-America teams. After his senior year of football and baseball with the Plainsmen, he is expected to be selected in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft next June.

That is, if his preferences do not change.

Hudson has told family, friends, and media that baseball is No. 1 in his sporting life. However, top college football powers from throughout the country also have contacted Hudson, who also shined last season as a wide receiver/return specialist for the Plainsmen.

For the rest of the summer, though, it’s all about baseball.

Hudson will play in the AFLAC All-American 2008 High School Baseball Game is at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 9. Before that game in Los Angeles, he will participate in the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif., another showcase featuring players from across America.

From California, he will return to Washington to play in the Mariners Cup, representing a team from the Northwest in games to be played Aug. 13-15 in Everett and at Seattle’s Safeco Field. He will have to leave a day early, though, to catch a flight for the Under Armour All-American Game in Chicago, set for Aug. 17.

“It is overwhelming, it’s a blessing, and it’s an honor,” Hudson said Thursday before playing in a game for the Seattle Stars, a Connie Mack team comprised of freshmen in college, recent high school graduates, and selected high school seniors-to-be.

Hudson missed much of his junior baseball season with Evergreen because of a knee injury. Now healthy, he has had quite the summer, playing in the Perfect Game National Showcase in Minneapolis as well as tryouts for USA Baseball’s 18-U Pan-Am team in North Carolina. 

Hudson has made his intentions known that he will sign a letter of intent play baseball at Oregon State. Football with the Beavers is a possibility, too. Then again, there is a chance that he will skip college if he is drafted high enough next June.

Choices will have to be made, but it is clear that these are decisions a lot of athletes would love to have.

Kyrell Hudson Channel

Hudson is scheduled to appear Wednesday on A.M. Northwest on KATU, Channel 2. The program begins at 9 a.m. The AFLAC All-American Game at Dodger Stadium can be seen on FSN, cable Channel 34. The Aug. 9 game is at noon, but viewers should be advised to check their cable or satellite schedule. The Under Armour game at Wrigley Field, Aug. 17, can be seen on ESPNU beginning at 11:20 a.m.

Gordon to George Fox

Keisha Gordon, a recent graduate of Heritage, has decided to play basketball at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. Gordon was named to The Columbian’s All-Region teams in basketball and soccer.

Free physicals

The Vancouver School District and Family Medicine of Southwest Washington have teamed up to provide free school sports physicals this summer for students needing to be cleared to participate in sports during the 2008-09 school year.

The physicals will be offered at: Hudson’s Bay High School on Aug. 14, Fort Vancouver High School on Aug. 15, and Skyview High School on Aug. 18. Times are 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. all three days.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Call 360-313-1044 to sign up and for more information.