HARRISONBURG, Va. (6/17/04) - When the 2004 College World Series begins Friday at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb., the Valley Baseball League will be well represented with former and future players.  At least 20 VBL alum and 10 additional players who are expected to report after the series are tied in with the CWS.

The Staunton Braves have nine former players and the Harrisonburg Turks six who are playing in the collegiate classic.  Five of the Braves players are with Miami, Andrew Lee, Erick San Pedro, Gaby Snachez, Joey Hooft, Richard Giannotti, Brandon Camardese and Andrew Cohn.  LSU brothers Clayton and Will Harris played for the Braves.  Arizona's Moises Duran, Richard Mercado, Pat Rielly, John Hardy and Jeff Van Houten all spent summers with the Turks.  Van Houten was last summer's Most Valuable Player for the league.  Paul Labrano, who pitches for Georgia, has had VBL stints with Harrisonburg and Luray.

Former Winchester Royals Michael Campell and Chad Blackwell from South Carolina and Derek Smith of Georgia are in Omaha.  Former Front Royal Cardinals Nick Stavinoha and Blake Gill play for LSU.

Winchester, Staunton, and Covington are all expecting to get players from the CWS rosters.