The Springdale American Legion team will be well represented at the East-West All-Star Showcase Saturday and Sunday at Harrisburg's Metro Bank Park.

Springdale manager Frank Sweeney and his son, Steve, will be coaching the 21-player West squad, which includes Springdale players J.T. Healy, a first baseman, and outfielder Don Sippel.

"I've attended the showcase a few times to watch some of my past players who were chosen, but this will be my first appearance as a coach," said Frank Sweeney, who is in his 22nd year of coaching. "Anything to help Legion baseball. Steve and I enjoy what we're doing. It's a good experience for the kids."

The Springdale contingent will travel to Harrisburg tomorrow night, with the festivities starting the following day.

"We have a skills session Saturday morning with the players from both teams showing how well they can run, throw and hit," Sweeney said. "They will be judged by Major League scouts and college coaches."

Saturday evening, coaches and players and their parents will attend a banquet to recognize the participants.

"They always have a former Major League player, coach or scout as the main speaker at the banquet," Sweeney said. "One year they had Butler's Matt Clement [a former Major League pitcher] as the speaker."

The weekend concludes Sunday with two games at Metro Bank Park, home of the minor league Senators.

"First, we get a chance to watch the Harrisburg Senators," said Sweeney, referring to a Class AA Eastern League game against Trenton, which begins at 2 p.m. "After that game, the East and West All Stars will face off in a game."

Healy and Sippel will soon begin their senior year at Fox Chapel High School. And both will be making their first appearance in the East-West Showcase.

"This is my first year with Springdale's Senior Legion team," said Sippel, who played the two previous summers with Springdale's Junior American Legion team. "But it will be my second trip to the East-West Showcase. I attended the game five or six years ago when my cousin, Michael Killian, played in the game. It was a lot of fun watching him. Now I get a chance to show the college coaches and scouts what I can do."

Sippel batted third for Springdale and finished the season with a .338 average. He also had 8 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 21 runs scored and 21 RBIs.

"I also pitch, but felt I had a better chance of being picked as an outfielder," he said. "I'm a little slow but have good arm strength and hit well at the plate. I batted once in each of the three showcases and had two triples."

Sippel will have a huge cheering section at Harrisburg. His mother, step father, sister, aunt, uncle and two cousins will be attending.

"After the last showcase, a coach from Saint Vincent [College] talked to both of us," said Sippel, who hopes to play baseball in college. "I was also invited to a Major League tryout for the Atlanta Braves on Thursday [today]."

Healy is in his second year as a starter on Springdale's Senior Legion team. He started on the Junior team the two previous years.

"I owe a lot to the Sweeneys," Healy said. "I had a rough high school season. Both Frank and Steve worked with me and turned things around for me. It's great they will be coaching the West team. They deserve the recognition."

Healy had a .363 average for Springdale. He also had 8 doubles, a home run, 13 stolen bases, 27 runs scored and 23 RBIs.

"I'm also a pitcher, but the level of skill at that position was far beyond me," Healy said. "I have good speed, and my throws from first to third base were better than anybody in all three showcases. My goal was to make a good impression with the college coaches, and I think I did that."

Healy also wants to play college ball.

"I want to find a good academic school, even if I have to walk on," Healy said. "I'm interested in Duquesne [University], but I'm also taking a trip to Ohio next week to check out some other colleges."

Sweeney believes both could play in college.

"They have the tools," Sweeney said. "A lot of college coaches are already interested."

Healy's parents will also be making the trip to Harrisburg.