Metro Sports Report

VanScoyoc will coach Japan-Metro Classic

Jim VanScoyoc, the legendary baseball coach from Norway High School, will be the head coach for the Metro team in the Japan-Metro All-Star Classic that will be played at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 13.

VanScoyoc, 72, led the Norway Tigers to 12 state titles from 1972 through 1990 with an overall record of 796-239 at the school. He also coached at Amana High School and finished his career with an overall mark of 850-254.

All-star roster set for Japan-Metro Classic

Fifteen of the top high school baseball players from Cedar Rapids and Marion have been selected to play in the Japan-Metro All-Star Classic on Thursday, Aug. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The pre-game ceremony starts at 7 p.m., with the game following shortly after.

All tickets cost $5 at the gate. Children 5-&-under will be admitted for free if accompanied by an adult.

All 15 of the Metro all-stars enjoyed banner years this season. All of them are graduated seniors who will be heading off to college in a few weeks, including 13 who hope to play baseball in college.

This was another good year for high school baseball in the Metro area with Jefferson, Prairie, Kennedy and Linn-Mar all ranked in the top 10 at various times. Prairie and Jefferson won Mississippi Valley Conference titles and Kennedy reached the semifinals of the Class 4A state tournament.

The Prairie Hawks will be represented on the Metro All-Star team by Trey Beckman, Drew Yanecek, Corbin Day and Brody Alberts

Sammy Lizarraga, Zach Daniels and Blake Hargens will be wearing their Kennedy uniforms in the Japan-Metro Classic. Lucas Larson and Colton Knox are on the ballclub from Jefferson.

Nolan Arp and Connor Frese of Xavier have been selected for the team. David Kuhn and John Carstensen of Marion are on the club. So are Adam Stolley of Linn-Mar and Landen Akers of Washington.

Metro Players in Pro Baseball

The Metro Sports Report provides regular updates on all the Metro graduates in pro baseball. Here is the report through Wednesday, Aug. 5:

SCOTT SCHEBLER (CR Prairie), Oklahoma City, OF, Triple-A, Pacific Coast League (Dodgers): Schebler went 2-for-4 Wednesday in a 6-2 loss to Colorado Springs. He played right field and hit seventh in the lineup. Schebler is batting .243 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (CR Washington), Fort Myers, OF, High-A, Florida State League (Twins): Christensen did not play Wednesday in a 7-4 loss to St. Lucie. He is batting .258 with two homers and 31 RBIs.

JON KELLER (CR Xavier), Frederick, P, High-A, Carolina League (Orioles): Jon Keller did not pitch Wednesday in a 9-7 victory over Salem. He has a 3-4 record, 3.96 ERA and four saves.

MITCH KELLER (CR Xavier), Bristol, P, Rookie, Appalachian League (Pirates): Mitch Keller did not pitch Wednesday in a 4-3 victory over Kingsport. He has a 0-0 record and 3.00 ERA in one appearance this season.

Jacobus transfers from UNI to Arkansas

Derek Jacobus has decided to continue his promising college track career at the University of Arkansas.

Jacobus, a former Cedar Rapids Kennedy athlete, won the decathlon as a freshman for the University of Northern Iowa at the Missouri Valley Conference meet this year. Since then, UNI coach Dan Steele left the Panthers to become the associate head coach at Iowa State and now Jacobus has decided to change schools as well.

"After my head coach decided to move on and coach at Iowa State, I wanted to explore my options both academically and athletically," Jacobus announced on his social media account. "With that being said, I am very excited to announce that I will be going down to Fayetteville this fall to continue my track career at the University of Arkansas.

"I will miss everyone back home, but could not let an opportunity like this slip away."

Former UNI coach Chris Bucknam is the head track coach at Arkansas, which is national power in men's track.