EASLEY – The 2010 Big League World Series District 1 host team was announced Tuesday at the Larry D. Bagwell Gymnasium.

The team consists of 15 high school boys from seven high schools around the area along with two college players from University of South Carolina Upstate and Charleston Southern University.

Players are Joey Pankake, Sammy Nix and Mitchell English from Easley; Matt Whitworth from Liberty; Andrew Cox, Austin Gambrell and Jacob Tavernier from BHP; Tyler Stone, L.J. Newman, Elliott Caldwell, Brett Cash and Jon Rosenberger from Wren; Jake Wolff from Walhalla; Jacob Long from Hanna and Trey Hayes from Palmetto. Brody Greer plays for USC Upstate and played high school at BHP. Jaren Sustar plays for Charleston Southern and played for Hanna High.

Coaches are Bobby Youngblood and Todd Freeman. The team manger is Gregg Powell.

“We have a group of players who are committed to playing how we like to see the game of baseball played,” Youngblood said. “They are team-oriented first and hard nosed, tough. They don’t mind getting dirty, working hard, coming early and leaving late. That’s what I like about this team.”

Youngblood said the team has seven returning players this year. Two of those players are returning from their first college season.

“Jaren Sustar and Brody Greer both played a year of college ball,” he said. “It is difficult to come back from their summer college team. It is difficult to make the time to do that. That kind of commitment spreads throughout the team.”

Youngblood says the boys feel like there is some “unfinished business” they want to take care of.

“They want to help us win our fifth Big League World Series championship,” he said. “That says a lot about their commitment. I feel really good about this team this year.”

Youngblood said having college players come back to lead the team will help them achieve their goals.

“That year of experience and desire really leads the way for a possible trip to another championship in a positive way,” Youngblood said.

Tournament Director Jon Humphrey told the team to “go out and represent the best you can.”

This year the Big League World Series is celebrating its tenth year in Easley beginning July 28-Aug. 4 at the J.B. Red Owens Sports Complex. The games will be broadcasted on ESPN.