The ShagKids replaced Big Train left fielder, Matt Long (Santa Clara) in the field on Monday night. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Kammerman

Before the All-Star game on Monday kids were asked to submit a 100 word testimonial about why they loved Big Train baseball. The best responses were given the opportunity to shag fly balls during the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League's Inaugural All-Star Home Run Derby. Here's what the ShagKids had to say:


ROBBIE ADLER (12): For the last 4 years Bethesda Big Train baseball has been fantastic! I have 2 great reasons why. First of all, the location. I live in Potomac its only 15 minutes to Shirley Povich Field. Washington is 45 minutes as well as Bowie. Fredrick and Baltimore are each 1 hour away. As you can see it is excellent to have a baseball team 15 minutes away. Finally the quality of baseball is amazing, they play as good as the pros. I love Big Train baseball and I always will.


ENRIQUE ARRINGTON: I like Big Train Baseball because the players are good and I like to watch them play. The camps were a lot of fun and I got to make new friends and try new drills. I really enjoyed the Select camp and I will be a better player this fall because of it.


ALEX BEAULIEU (11): My name is Alex Beaulieu, and I love Big Train Baseball. Your camps are great. I made a special friend there, Steve Leach, who paid extra attention to me, and gave me suggestions which really improved my hitting ability and confidence. Shirley Povich Field is a great place to go watch him and other future pro ballplayers. In addition, Big Train Baseball brings more attention to the sport, which helps improve the quality of the fields I play on. Finally, Big Train inspires 11 year-olds like me to come play there when I'm in college!


ALEX DEISE (12): I like Big Train because of the excitement they put on the field. They put a lot of effort on and off the field. They are a fun team to watch and always do their job well. Also, there is great food at the field! Pizza, hot dogs, cookies, ice cream and drinks are all good to eat during a ball game. It is also fun between innings to play running bases in an open area or wall ball. Finally I love Big Train because of the players. They are always nice to me.


MICHAEL ENGELS (10): I love Big Train Baseball. One reason I love it is because of Big Train Baseball Camp. It was the coolest camp ever. I learned how to lead off each base and how to bunt. Another reason I love Big Train Baseball is because the players are very nice. They always say hello and sign my baseballs. Still another reason I love Big Train Baseball is because you can sit so close to the field. You can even retrieve lots of foul balls during the games. That is why I love Big Train Baseball!!


NATE GOTTESMAN: I love Big Train baseball because I look up to the players and how they play baseball. They're great players but most importantly they are great coaches at camp and now I'm a much better baseball player. Also, Shirley Povich Field is a nice place to spend a summer evening. These are a few of the many reasons I love Big Train baseball.


JONATHAN HALL (13): Big Train is an awesome way to get to see future stars in a very friendly atmosphere. The players are very easy to talk to and always take time for autographs. I play baseball in RBBA and think it would be an honor to shag
balls in the All Star game. Thank you for considering me for this privilege.


NICK INFANTI: I love Big Train because they helped me learn fielding, batting and pitching. I love the team because every season they work hard. The players are really nice and they helped out in camp.


CONNOR JONES: I like Big Train because they have nice players who are very good at baseball. I would like to be able to be on the field with them and catch their baseballs like they do in the major leagues. I hope all of the players make it to the big leagues. I really enjoyed meeting them in camp this week.


SAM KNECHT (14): There are many reasons why I like Big Train baseball. One is: when I watch the college kids play and have fun, it inspires me to work hard so I can some day play that level of baseball. Two is: whenever I watch a Big Train game, I always learn something new about playing baseball. Three is: the wooden bat league is a different experience than using metal bats and I like to learn different things. Four is: it is just like the majors because of the wooden bats, home runs, great pitching and the teamwork.


JEREMY LEVINE (11): I love Big Train Baseball because you get to sit so close to the field and you can really see everything that's going on when it's going on. The cool thing about Big Train is that if you wear your BCC jersey you can get to go into the game for free. Also during the game they have really fun events that kids can participate in. The players are very talented and I enjoy watching them because they make me become a better player. Big Train is a great event for the whole family.


MARK OLINGER (12): Crack! It’s a double, and the Big Train wins again! This is one of the reasons I like the Big Train, because they are a winning team. I also like going because every seat has a good view of the field. Another reason I like the Big Train is their ballpark has a fun atmosphere. There are many attractions and sources of entertainment. Some examples are Treasures for Trash and the water balloon toss. Also they have delicious ballpark food at stands around the ballpark. The Big Train is a great team and they play at a great ballpark, and that is why I love them.


MICHAEL PARETZKY (11): Big Train baseball is the greatest. I like Big Train Baseball because there are activities that kids can compete in. For example there is a balloon bash and there is a trash pickup where kids trade a garbage bag full of trash for candy. There is also a mascot race where Homer races a little kid and somehow Homer always loses. Another reason why I like Big Train baseball is because it’s a good place to play. This is because the park is small and you can’t really get lost. I love Big Train baseball a whole lot.


ANDREW REITZES (10): I have been doing Big Train camp for four weeks. I love the camp because they do really cool drills and the hitting drills really help you with your swing. All of the players like to joke around which makes camp fun and crazy! I like to go to the games and watch the players use the techniques they taught us in camp. I love watching the team and I think it would be a lot of fun to try to catch their fly balls and cheer them on during the home run derby.


LOUIS ROTHSTEIN: I have always loved going to Big Train Baseball and the experience of going to the game. I enjoy it more than going to Orioles or Nationals games. It is just plain fun. I can get closer to the game, players and have even run down a few foul balls in the parking lot. My family has a season pass. Sometimes we get to sit behind home plate. It is very exciting. I have never sat so close at a major league game. The food is good and my parents let me and my brother walk around on our own. I have always wanted to go on the field.


ROBERT SLATKIN (13): Big Train Baseball ROCKS! I go to a bunch of their games and I love them. At the games they do such cool things. When I get older I want to play for Big Train. It’s so cool to watch players who are not much older than me that play so well. It gives me encouragement that someday I could play like that also. Big Train is small enough so I don’t have to walk around with my parents to go get food or to just throw a ball with my friends. All of the seats are good seats.


JEREMY SMITH (13): I am 13 years old and am a BIG Bethesda Big Train fan. Here are just a couple of the many reasons why I love the Big Train. First of all, the very very nice people; even the players. People at the concession stands are always asking you if you need anything and the players will often come by and chat. Second, the game is always fun. I love playing/watching baseball and whenever I come to see the Big Train it’s always a treat. Lastly, the seats are great. Every single one of them has a great view; the “last row” is only about six rows up. Well hopefully the Big Train will stay around long enough that I can take my kids there!


LOUIS WOLFF (14): There are many reasons I love Big Train Baseball, but the number one reason is Big Train puts exciting baseball action right in my neighborhood. And now that I'm 14 my parents can drop me off at a game anytime I want to see real baseball action. It's also a convenient and inexpensive way to bring our community together to further their love for America's favorite national past time. Lastly, the Big Train Baseball Camp helps children improve their baseball skills, and increase their chances to one day even play for the Big Train Baseball Team.


RICHARD WYNER (12): I love Big Train Baseball for several reasons. First, I have been going to Big Train games for four years. Unlike most Major League games, you are very close to the action and get a good feel for the game. Also, because the players are so good, I learn a lot while watching the game (I’m in BCC Major Select). Finally, it is close to my home, so my family and I can go very often, get to know the team, and be able to follow the league. I would really like to help out at the Home Run Derby!