Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase 2023 baseball, softball games announced

ROSELAWN, Ohio − While the weather may not be cooperating in Greater Cincinnati this March, the spring high school sports season is about to get underway with area high school softball and baseball programs set to soon hit the diamond.

The 2023 Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase presented by Cincinnati Children's Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics announced its spring schedule for area high school baseball and softball events Tuesday afternoon at the Reds Youth Academy.

The Showcase, which begins on March 31 and runs until May 13, will feature 92 high school baseball and softball teams from 78 Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Southeast Indiana and Dayton playing in a total of 46 games. The eight softball games is the most ever for the showcase, according to In-Game Sports President and CEO Tom Gamble, the event's manager.

The showcase begins with opening weekend at the Proctor and Gamble MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy featuring three baseball teams and one softball game on March 31. The next day there will be four baseball games. The first softball games featuring two Northern Kentucky teams will occur April 12 when Dixie Heights and Highlands square off in a rematch of last season's regional championship game.

On April 15, the Showcase will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day by hosting teams from nine Cincinnati Public Schools at the Reds Youth Academy. Players from those clubs will wear "42" jerseys in honor of Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier 76 years ago.

Three softball games will be played at the Reds Youth Academy on April 16 for Gabby Rodriguez Day.

Area high school teams will play at three regional collegiate stadiums: Wright State's Nischwitz Stadium, Xavier's Hayden Field and the University of Cincinnati's UC Baseball Stadium. Ten local teams will play at Greater American Ball Park during "Big League Weekend" on May 12-13.

"We're thrilled to be at all of these great facilities," Gamble said.

"For any kid growing up in Cincinnati, it's very cool to be able to play where the Reds play," Gamble said. "We've got teams from Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana, plus softball teams. We're thrilled to have everybody. We can't wait to get started."

Every team in the Showcase will be invited to Great American Ball Park on Sunday, May 7 to participate in the "March at the Majors" parade prior to the Reds vs. White Sox game. The Most Valuable Players from the Showcase will receive commemorative bats during pre-game ceremonies that day.

Tickets to the showcase are $5 and are available at the scheduled ballpark on game day.

"From a Reds Community Fund perspective, this is why we exist, to support amateur baseball ages 4-to-18 and to continue to grow the game," Cincinnati Reds Community Fund Executive Director Charlie Frank said. "It's hard to imagine an event as important as this one just based on the sheer number of games, the number of high schools involved, the region that's engaged. I think we all know the game is at a crossroads and we're 100% focused on finding that next generation of fans."

2023 Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase Baseball/Softball Schedule

March 31 − Opening Night at P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy

Norwood vs. Western Hills, 4:30 p.m.

Cincinnati Country Day vs. Conner, 5 p.m.

Harrison vs. Seton, 5 p.m. (softball)

Harrison vs. Lawrenceburg, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 1 − Opening Day at Reds Youth Academy

Princeton vs. Reading, 11 a.m.

Little Miami vs. Middletown, Noon

Roger Bacon vs. Taylor, 1 p.m.

Purcell Marian vs. Summit Country Day, 2 p.m.

Thursday, April 6 − Meinken Field, Covington

Bishop Brossart vs. Holy Cross, Noon

Bellevue vs. Lloyd, 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 8 - Mason High School (Softball)

Williamsburg vs. Wilmington, Noon

Miamisburg vs. Milford, 2 p.m.

Lebanon vs. Mason, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12 − Dixie Heights High School (Softball)

Dixie Heights vs. Highlands, 6 p.m.

Friday, April 14 − UC Baseball Stadium

Anderson vs. Turpin, 5 p.m.

Mason vs. Oak Hills, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 15 − Jackie Robinson Day at Reds Youth Academy

Clark Montessori vs. Miami Valley Christian Academy, 11 a.m.

Gamble Montessori vs. Taft, Noon

Western Hills vs. Withrow, 1 p.m.

Riverview East vs. Shroder, 3 p.m.

Aiken vs. Woodward, 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 16 − Gabby Rodriguez Day at Reds Youth Academy (Softball)

Western Hills vs. Withrow, Noon

Walnut Hills vs. Winton Woods, 2 p.m.

Hughes vs. Oyler, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 19 − Wright State University

Greenville vs. Xenia, 5 p.m.

Bellbrook vs. Franklin, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 20 − Xavier University

Madeira vs. Sycamore, 5 p.m.

Friday, April 21 − Xavier University

Badin vs. Fenwick, 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 22 − Xavier University

McNicholas vs. Ross, 10 a.m.

Deer Park vs. Mariemont, 1 p.m.

Colerain vs. Northwest, 4 p.m.

Monday, April 24 − Midland Baseball Complex

Bethel-Tate vs. Versailles, 5 p.m.

Batavia vs. Goshen, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 26 − Wright State University

Beavercreek vs. Miamisburg, 5 p.m.

Centerville vs. Fairmont, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 27 − St. Henry District High School

Ryle vs. St. Henry, 5 p.m.

Monday, May 1 − UC Baseball Stadium

Moeller vs. St. Xavier, 5 p.m.

Elder vs. La Salle, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 3 − Beechwood High School

Beechwood vs. Highlands, 5 p.m.

Covington Catholic vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 5 − Xavier University

Lakota East vs. Lakota West, 5 p.m.

Friday, May 12 − Big League Weekend at Great American Ball Park

Covington Catholic vs. Moeller, 5 p.m.

Beechwood vs. Conner, 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 13 − Big League Weekend at Great American Ball Park

Badin vs. Milford, 10 a.m.

Centerville vs. Lakota West, 1 p.m.

Campbell County vs. Springboro, 4 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2023 Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase schedule