ATLANTA — Fifty high school baseball players from Native American descent across the county were showcased this weekend at Truist Park, home field of the Atlanta Braves. 

The third annual Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase was held at Truist Park on June 7-9. Twenty-plus tribal affiliations from 16 states and Canada were represented.

South Dakotans Davonte Ross (Lakota Tech High School) and Edwin Fillspipe (Riverside Indian School in Oklahoma) were among the 50 players invited to the showcase. Ross and Fillspipe are cousins and members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Fillspipe previously attended Oelrichs High School. 

The players experience a “pro-style” workout on Saturday and played in a showcase game on Sunday. A few players were selected to participate in a home run derby that followed the afternoon workout on Saturday.

Former major leaguers Marquis Grissom, Johnny Estrada, Marvin Freeman, and Lou Collier coached the teams. The event offers exposure for players who may not have another opportunity to play in front of college and Major League scouts.