June 21, 2006 — Seven area legion baseball players advance at the annual All-Star Showcase, held at Emmaus. Of the 50 players from the Lehigh Valley League and Northampton County Legion that participate in the skills tests and the four-inning game, 28 players are selected to move on to the next round, joining players from the Berks County, BucksMont and Schuylkill Leagues. Three players from Lehighton — Kevin Hoben (in photo), Chas Field and Kory Bates — make the cut. Also advancing are three players from the Birches — Jake Griesemer, Kenny Serfass and Blake Knecht — and one from Northwestern — Michael Caruso.