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MIDDLETOWN — Seth Martin has never been to Fifth Third Field, home of the Dayton Dragons.

But at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19, he will join 45 other incoming high school seniors on the minor league field in the ninth annual Bob Ross Baseball Classic. Admission to the game is free.

"It's going to be a neat opportunity," said Martin, who will begin his senior year at Edgewood High School a little more than a month from now.

"It's a good chance to be seen by college coaches," he continued. "I'm happy Coach (Brian) Caudill picked me, and I hope I can go out and represent my school well."

To prove that opportunity does exist, Caudill, who will be an assistant coach on the opposite team of his player, looked back to the 2005 game when EHS graduate and Miami University pitcher Chase Stewart performed well in his appearance.

"That game really was a launching pad for Chase," Caudill said. "He really threw well getting into the 90s and I started to get a lot of phone calls after that."

Martin is the fourth player Caudill has sent to the game since he took over at Edgewood. In addition to Stewart, Edgewood players have been Jason Edwards, Kyle Sigmon and now Martin.

"Seth has done everything we've asked of him," Caudill said. "He's put in the time to become a better player and really put up some good numbers last season."

Martin batted .407 with 23 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. He was named to the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division second team.

Other area players joining Martin on the Red team roster are Franklin's Macklin Bray, who had a .447 batting average and 26 stolen bases; Lebanon's Ryan Butcher, who had a 2.60 ERA and 26 strikeouts; Madison's Steve Johnson, who batted .388 with four home runs and 19 RBIs; and Valley View's Josh Allen, who hit .408 with 32 RBIs.

On the Blue team roster are Carlisle's Kyle England, who batted .476 with five home runs and 43 RBIs. He also had a 1.49 ERA with 44 strikeouts. Monroe's J.C. Kellis batted .378 with 31 RBIs and 15 stolen bases, and Springboro's Bryce Drew knocked in 15 runs.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.