Carmichael Classic Preview: 14 Wayne/Holmes teams to play in Saturday's showcase

If there was any question the impact that Sean Carmichael had on area baseball, all you would need to do is to be a Triway this Saturday.

Or at the College of Wooster.

Or Wooster High School.

All three sites will play host to the fourth annual Sean Carmichael Classic, with proceeds going to a scholarship fund that bears the name of the former Titan coach who passed away in 2019. The scholarship, which is given to any senior baseball player in Wayne County who is planning to attend college, went to Kade Whitman in 2023.

A total of 20 teams will take part in the showcase, 14 of which are in the Daily Record coverage area, many of which are led by coaches that had personal relationships with the late Carmichael.

“All of the local teams, even with new head coaches, knew of Coach Carmichael, the type of person he was, and the impact he made on Wayne County baseball," said Triway coach Justin McDowell, who took over the program in 2021 and is one of the many organizers of the event. “When coach Larry Bellman took over at Northwestern this fall, he reached out immediately because he wanted to be a part of the day. That is just one example of Sean's meaningfulness and how everyone still remembers him.”

The cost of the event is $5 for all adults and students, which is good to take in the action at all three sites, while children under the age of eight are admitted free of charge.

And for those who knew Carmichael best, the idea of being to watch so many local athletes in locations all within 15 minutes of each other would've brought a smile to the former Triway and University of Akron standout who later served as the school's baseball coach, athletic director, transportation supervisor, and assistant boys basketball coach.

With the largest amount of teams in the history of the showcase it has not only grown into one of the most important games on local team's schedules, but it is a true family affair.

“It has been great to see it continue to grow because it shows how many people knew, liked, and respected Coach Carmichael,” McDowell said. “The Carmichael family of Angie, Derek, Parker, and Zoe mean so much to everyone at Triway but also to all of Wayne County. Having them there and honoring their father is one of the things we look forward to the most every year. We are very appreciative of their support and help with this event.”

Action will start the College of Wooster's Art Murray Field at 9 a.m. with a total of four games, while both the Triway and Wooster locations will field three games beginning at 10.

With a host of battles between local teams on the schedule, the event features a pair of defending state champs — Waynedale (D-III) and Hiland (D-IV) — and three district champs from a year ago in Hoban (D-I), Wooster (D-I) and Dalton (D-IV), along with a number of All-Ohio players from across the region.

One of the contests to watch will be the nightcap at Triway as Hiland will battle Hoban, which is led by Sean Carmichael's oldest son, Derek, who is in his second season guiding the Knights.

The action on the field, along a number of volunteers making sure that everything goes smoothly, is something that makes the showcase truly a community event.

“There will be some really good baseball played on Saturday,” McDowell said. “Several schools will field multiple college commits including several D1 players. Every game is a solid matchup and we are looking forward to displaying that on the field.

“We appreciate all of the support from all of the administrations and people involved who are volunteering their time,” he added. “From the College of Wooster and Jeff Bricker to Wooster High School and AD Alex Mallue, their willingness to be involved and help is what makes this event possible.”

Sean Carmichael Classic

(at Triway)

West Holmes vs. Dalton, 10 a.m.

Smithville vs. Triway, 1:30 p.m.

Hiland vs. Hoban, 5 p.m.

(at Wooster HS)

Loudonville vs. Chippewa, 10 a.m.

Northwest vs. Wooster, 1:30 p.m.

Buckeye vs. Waynedale, 5 p.m.

(at College of Wooster)

Tuslaw vs. Hillsdale, 9 a.m.

Southeast vs. Northwestern, 11:30 a.m.

Dover vs. Lake, 2 p.m.

Norwayne vs. Orrville, 5 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Baseball: 14 Wayne/Holmes team set to take part in Carmichael Classic