Austin set for home run derby

As of Saturday, June 16, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Rockdale Citizen

Charleston, S.C. -- Tyler Austin has swung a bat in a lot of different atmospheres in his baseball career. Safe to say, this one might be the first of its kind for the Conyers native.

Austin, an all-star selection with the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs of the South Atlantic League, will participate in the league's home run derby during all-star week.

The derby, sponsored by Miller High Life, will have a different twist, though, as the competitors will hit from the deck of the USS Yorktown, which is stationed at Patriots Point.

In what is believed to be the first-ever home run derby from the flight deck of a carrier, the first round of the derby will be held on the ship on June 18 at 11 a.m.

The championship round will be held at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, the sight of the Sally League's 53rd all-star game, on Tuesday, beginning at 5:15 p.m. prior to the start of annual summer classic.

Austin, a Heritage graduate who is in his second full season in the New York Yankees organization, should be considered one of the derby favorites. In 56 games with Charleston through June 15, the right fielder has a team-high 14 home runs and also leads the RiverDogs in RBIs (50), hits (72), doubles (19) and total bases (143).

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