The annual Aflac All–American High School Baseball Game showcases 38 of the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Aflac All–Americans are chosen by the experts at our official selection partner, Perfect Game USA, and receive the benefit from the game's relationship with media partner Baseball America, baseball's most influential magazine.

The 2008 Aflac All–American High School Baseball Game was played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the first time in the game's six–year history that it was played at a Major League stadium. The premiere high school All–American game in the country, the Aflac All–American Game took place Saturday, Aug. 9, in Dodger Stadium at noon Pacific time and was be broadcast live on FSN.

 

Aflac All-American Baseball Classic

Philanthropic Focus

As part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, all game proceeds from the 2008 Aflac All–American High School Baseball Game benefited ThinkCure, the official charity of the Dodgers, which supports critical cancer research at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Since 2005, the game has generated nearly $685,000.

Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith returned as this year's honorary chairman and, in addition to promoting the game, was on–site in Los Angeles for game week activities. This was the second consecutive year that Smith has served as honorary chairman. Past honorary chairmen have included Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson (2006), Cal Ripken (2004–05) and Stan Musial (2003).

Major League Success

Since the game's inception in 2003, 52 Aflac All–Americans have been selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball first–year player draft, including current major leaguer Justin Upton (No. 1 overall, 2005) of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the recently completed June 2008 draft, 10 Aflac All–Americans were selected in the first round, including the No. 1 pick overall, Tim Beckham (the 2007 game's MVP), by the Tampa Bay Rays. Also chosen in the first round were Aflac All–Americans Eric Hosmer (No. 3 overall to the Kansas City Royals), Buster Posey (No. 4 overall to the San Francisco Giants), Kyle Skipworth (No. 5 overall to the Florida Marlins) and Ethan Martin (No. 15 overall to the Los Angeles Dodgers). Overall, 143 of 192 Aflac All–Americans have been drafted by Major League teams.

The Aflac All–American High School Baseball Game is considered the country's marquee prep All–American event. All participants must have just completed their junior year of high school, be in good academic standing and display redeeming qualities off the field that embody the ideals of the sport of baseball, including discipline, determination and hard work.

For more information about the game, go to aflacallamerican2008.com.