Kevin Delapaz is pictured pitching in a game earlier this spring. (Ed Wright photo)

Spot on big-league mound awaits Canton Athlete of Year Delapaz

BY ED WRIGHT
June 4, 2010, 10:45 p.m.

  Kevin Delapaz has earned the opportunity to live out the ultimate fantasy for any long-time Detroit Tigers' fan -- pitch an inning at Comerica Park.

  Delapaz, a senior left-handed pitcher on the Chiefs' baseball team, has been selected to participate in the Michigan High School Coaches Association's East-West All-Star Baseball Classic June 21 at 7 p.m. at Comerica Park.

   The letter announcing the All-Star Game invitation came just a few days after the two-sport star -- Delapaz also was the engineer of the Chiefs' ultra-successful football team the past two falls -- was named Canton's Male Athlete of the Year.

  Talk about a whirlwind week.

  "I've been a huge Detroit Tigers' fan since I was a little kid, so to be able to pitch at Comerica Park is going to be a cool experience," said Delapaz. "My family and friends are very excited for me."

  Hundreds of athletes from around the state are nominated for the All-Star game, but only a select few are chosen.

  A pair of PCEP players -- Salem's Sam Ott and Plymouth's Brad Lineberry -- played in the 2009 game.

  Delapaz compiled an impressive portfolio that earned him  the Male Athlete of the Year Award.  He has compiled a 3.56 grade-point average and seven varsity letters - four in baseball and three in football. He earned All-Conference honors in football his junior and senior seasons.

  In baseball, he earned honorable mention recognition as a sophomore and All-Conference accolades his sophomore and junior and seasons.

  Delapaz will attend Bowling Green State University in the fall with an athletic scholarship to play baseball for the Falcons.