Area high school baseball players will have an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of college coaches and recruiters this summer as the Central Illinois Kickoff Showcase comes to Newton on Wednesday, July 1.
Hosted by Newton Community High School Baseball and Lake Land College Baseball, the event will take place at the Jasper County Boys & Girls Park, located at 503 S. Scott Avenue in Newton.
The showcase is open to all players who will be attending high school during the Fall of 2026, as well as members of the Class of 2026. Participants will have the chance to take part in a professional-style workout designed to evaluate multiple aspects of their game while gaining valuable exposure to college programs.
Players can expect:
- Defensive evaluations
- Hitting evaluations
- Pitching evaluations
- Measurable performance testing
- Direct exposure to college coaches and recruiters
Position players will check in between 8:15 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., with activities beginning promptly at 9:00 a.m. Pitchers-only participants will begin check-in at 11:00 a.m.
The cost to participate is $75 per player. Payments may be made during online registration or mailed in advance. Checks should be made payable to NCHS Baseball with “Showcase” included in the memo line.
Mail-in payments can be sent to:
NCHS Office
Attn: HS Baseball Program
201 W. End Ave.
Newton, IL 62448
In addition to the evaluations and recruiting opportunities, the Jasper County Daily News will be on-site throughout the event taking photographs of participating athletes, giving players additional local media exposure and providing coverage of the showcase.
Organizers say the showcase is designed to help athletes compete, be evaluated, and gain exposure in front of college recruiters while receiving feedback on their skills and athletic performance.
Registration is available through the event QR code featured on promotional materials. Players interested in continuing their baseball careers at the collegiate level are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to be seen, evaluated, and recruited.
For more information, contact the Newton Eagles Baseball program.
