SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) – Baseball players hailing from all over South Carolina were battling it out on the diamond in Sumter starting Saturday for the 17th annual Palmetto Games.

The baseball showcase invites the top baseball players in the state to play against one another all weekend long in front of college and professional baseball scouts.

It didn’t rain on the festivities in 2024, as the weather from Tropical Storm Debby didn’t damper the fun on the diamond at Riley Park.

“(They) let us know how much (Riley Park) was getting in terms of water, so we could get the information out to the masses,” said Diamond Prospect’s Austin Alexander.

The Palmetto Games are put on by Diamond Prospects, an organization that’s covered high school baseball across South Carolina since 2006.

The Palmetto showcase consists of drills, workouts, batting practice, and multiple games throughout the weekend, all played in front of college and professional baseball scouts.

Alexander first put together the showcase after his son Nolan was born… and was encouraged by USC Athletic Director Ray Tanner to bring an event like this to the state.

“It is quite an honor for these guys to see their name in print when we send out the invitation list,” Alexander said, “We’ve had, over the course of 16 years, 230 players that have been drafted by a major league baseball team.”

Alexander’s son, Nolan, has helped his father at the event over the years and played in the showcase twice himself. The weekend-long scouting event helped finetune his pitching abilities, which led him to secure a roster spot on Lander University’s baseball team in Greenwood.

He enjoyed watching the next generation step up to the plate Saturday.

“It’s just really great knowing that I grew up with some of these kids to I played with them, I played against them. I love talking to kids and helping them get them to where hopefully I am.”

Many pro players have graced this talent show in previous years, including MLB players Alex Wood, J.P. Sears, and Jordan Montgomery.

The action on the diamond resumes again on Sunday, August 11th, where players will take part in three, nine inning games.

The full schedule of events in 2024 can be viewed online.

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