Baseball Returns to Atlantic City

Baseball is back once again in the Boardwalk Empire.

This week ten teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and Maryland will descend upon Atlantic City for the 2013 Babe Ruth Mid-Atlantic Regionals. While the venue formerly known as ' The Sandcastle' hasn't seen professional action since 2008, it's been the site of one of the east coast's best tournaments in back-to-back years.

The South Jersey Sports Report was honored to be a guest of the historic local arena this weekend. Joining us in the broadcast booth were members of Atlantic Shore Babe Ruth Baseball, the team representing the tournament's host region. We asked them what's so special about playing at Surf Stadium, and what they say they'll do differently this year to keep their postseason run alive.

We were also honored to speak with Al Solanik, the man behind Babe Ruth Baseball in New Jersey. Find out what he says is significant about baseball being back in the shore resort, and why this tournament is important for the future of the game in our area.

If we're talking about the very best in South Jersey baseball, only one name comes to mind. That's Mike Trout, the Millville native who's smashing the competition in the big leagues as a star for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. We spoke with his former high school coach Roy Hallenbeck about how the community will honor one of their favorite sons, and why this upcoming Trout dedication is taking place more than 1,200 feet off the ground.

The 2013 high school football season is inching closer, and one local coach is chomping at the bit for another shot at a state title. Cedar Creek's Tim Watson explains how his team will find success after losing Damon Mitchell to graduation, and reveals which conference opponents could present the biggest challenges for his Pirates.

And the Courier Post's Kevin Minnick is also previewing the 2013 high school football season in South Jersey. Listen in to find out which teams he says could make a deep postseason run, and why a rarity in the schedule has created one of the most unique opening weekends ever.

Listen to this week's show:

Cheese Chisolm, Harlem Globetrotters guard & Cherokee High School alumn

Tim Watson, Cedar Creek High School head football coach

Atlantic Shore Babe Ruth Baseball, from Surf Stadium in Atlantic City

Kevin Minnick, Courier Post sports writer

Roy Hallenbeck, Millville High School head baseball coach

Al Solanik, Commissioner of Babe Ruth Baseball in New Jersey

Atlantic Shore Babe Ruth Baseball, from Surf Stadium in Atlantic City

Matt Sugam, SNY Rutgers beat reporter

Ryan Blaszczyk, Rutgers alumn & Philadelphia Soul offensive lineman

Click here for more information on the 2013 Babe Ruth 13-15 Year-Old Mid-Atlantic Regionals.

It’s all right here, on The South Jersey Sports Report. Listen every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on 97.3 ESPN-FM or 973espn.com, and catch the expanded edition every Thursday night from 6-7 p.m.

Follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter @TDsTake