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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COLUMBIA — South Carolina football held practice on Sunday morning, a day after the Gamecocks’ first scrimmage of the 2024 preseason.

Coach Shane Beamer said Saturday that the scrimmage consisted of about 103 reps, giving South Carolina a chance to play in Williams-Brice Stadium before the season opener on Aug. 31 against Old Dominion.

Sunday marked the ninth practice for the Gamecocks, who officially began their preseason on Aug. 2. Here are observations and notes from practice:

South Carolina football injury update from Aug. 11

Beamer listed eight players that didn’t participate in Saturday’s scrimmage, but said he believed everyone would be back by Sunday.

At practice on Sunday, offensive linemen Markee Anderson and Jakai Moore were once again working with trainers like they were on Friday. Tight end Reid Mikeska, who sat out Saturday’s scrimmage, and running back Bradley Dunn joined Moore and Anderson on the sidelines.

Senior edge rusher Elijah Davis missed the scrimmage and was not seen at practice on Sunday and defensive back Jalewis Solomon was not in full pads.

Beamer got four of the Gamecocks back, most notably running back Rocket Sanders, who didn’t scrimmage on Saturday but was participating in every drill Sunday. Juju McDowell, Vandrevius Jacobs, and Bam Martin-Scott returned as well.

South Carolina’s offense, wide receivers for 2024

For the first time this preseason, South Carolina ran offensive drills during the open media section of practice. Four quarterbacks threw at the same time while the wide receivers rotated catching passes into the end zone.

Beamer made it clear during his press conference Saturday that there is no depth chart right now.

Nyck Harbor, the 6-foot-5 sophomore receiver, had a great snag in the corner of the end zone from sixth-year transfer Davis Beville. The 6-6 quarterback has spent two years at Pittsburgh and two at Oklahoma. It’s unlikely he gets reps this season, as Beamers hinted the No. 2 option is Auburn transfer Robby Ashford.

Freshman tight end Mike Smith impresses Shane Beamer

During a goal line 1-on-1 drill, freshman tight end Michael Smith made a great play to separate himself from Nick Emmanwori and complete the pass from Ashford before falling out of bounds.

The play happened right in front of Beamer, who let his rookie know he saw and appreciated that play. Smith also scored a touchdown on Saturday.

The Gamecocks are without former tight end Trey Knox this season who was an NFL free agent signee with the Minnesota Vikings. Knox caught 37 passes for 312 yards last season and scored twice. South Carolina does return sixth-year player Josh Simon, whose expected to be the go-to TE this year. He caught 28 passes for 256 yards in 2023.

BEAMER ON SATURDAY: What South Carolina’s Shane Beamer said about first scrimmage, Rocket Sanders’ health

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin