Pennsylvania's American Legion baseball leagues have a structured and traditional way of showcasing top players.

A series of all-star showcases are conducted by every league with the players' ultimate goal of advancing to the East-West All-Star Game at Harrisburg's Commerce Bank Park Aug. 3.

"The major leagues have cut down on scouting in the United States to concentrate on players south of the border," Ohio River League director John Werner said. "With that in mind, we have to do everything we can to showcase our kids to college coaches and professional scouts."

The four leagues in Allegheny County -- Allegheny River, Allegheny Southern, Mon-Yough and Ohio River -- held a combined All-Star Showcase Monday, with 38 players advancing to today's Region 6 Showcase at 10:30 a.m. at CCAC Boyce in Monroeville.

"It's a great way to showcase the top players," said Duquesne University coach Mike Wilson, who was one of several college coaches in attendance. "The workout is quick and allows you to see quite a few players. It gives you a chance to see their tools."

All players entering the All-Star Showcase are timed in the 60-yard dash. The outfielders are hit flyballs and judged on their throws to the plate from about 250 feet. The infielders field ground balls and are judged on their throws from third to first base. The catchers are judged on their throws from home to second base.

After the skills evaluation, a three-inning game is played to evaluate the pitching and hitting.

"The showcases show us who can throw, who can run and a player's bat speed," Wilson said. "It also gives us a quick look at the top pitchers and what they have to offer."

The Allegheny County leagues conducted their showcase Monday in two different sessions. The first session featured players from the Allegheny River and Mon-Yough leagues with 18 players advancing to today's Region 6 Showcase.

The second session featured players from the Ohio River and Allegheny Southern leagues, and 20 players advanced.

"Our goal is to find the best kids at each position," said Allegheny County Director Bill Holmes, who is also the coach of Plum's Legion team. "They all get a chance to show the college coaches and pro scouts what they have to offer."

West Allegheny had three players advance to the Region 6 Showcase: second baseman Ken Cool, and outfielders Josh Snatchko and Michael Visloski.

"I'm trying to get my name out there with the college coaches and doing well at these showcases will certainly help," said Cool, who singled in his at bat. "We had two kids advance to the East-West All-Star Game last year -- Mark Diskin and Ricky Devereaux. I would like to be the next West Allegheny player to make it that far."

Cool, Snatchko, and Visloski recently completed their junior year at West Allegheny.

"My hope is to show the college coaches what I can do," said Snatchko, who doubled in his at bat. "I'm not sure what my 60-time was, but I'm sure it wasn't very good. My double surely helped the cause."

Chartiers Valley/South Fayette had three players advance: first baseman Ryan Landy, third baseman Andrew McIntyre, and outfielder Ken Turpack. Crafton-Ingram-Thornburg catcher Paul Tutino also advanced.

Region 6 includes six leagues -- four from Allegheny County, the Beaver County League and the Fayette County League.

"The Western Showcase will include Regions 6, 7, and 8, with the goal of chosing the kids who will play in Harrisburg (at the East-West All-Star Game)," said Holmes.