Sunday’s eighth annual Jim Parker All-Star Baseball Game at Ventura College offered the area’s best senior players more than just a chance to compete. It allowed them to renew old friendships and talk about what lies ahead in their baseball careers.

With Westlake head coach Josh Eby managing the East team and Ventura High baseball coach Paul Togneri guiding the West, the East prevailed, 7-4, in the event named for the former Ventura County Star prep sports editor. Game proceeds went to the Ventura Baseball Coaches Association.

“The game was all about (the kids),” Eby said. “They seemed to have a real good time. . . .We let them go out and play. After all, they are playing in the game for a reason—they know how to play.” Among other things, the formation of the East team led to the reuniting of Thousand Oaks shortstop David Fonseca and Westlake shortstop/third baseman Jordan Ott, who were originally teammates on the Southern California Ravens in 1999, a 12 years and under age team coached by Mark Davis.

Fonseca, picked in the 41st round (1,247th overall) of the 2005 amateur draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, was weighing his options as the game played out.

“I have some choices going on with college, (and other choices),” the slick-fielding shortstop said.

“What I want to work on is hitting.

At the next level they have guys out there who can just throw the ball. What I need to work on is getting stronger.” Ott, who won the pre-game home run contest with three dingers, said he’ll always treasure the time he spent as a member of the Warriors.

“It was definitely a good experience,” said Ott, who is still deciding on where he wants to play his college baseball. “They showed me the ropes. I matured a lot there. Josh (Eby) knows what he’s talking about.” In game action, the East scored four runs in the sixth inning to go ahead 6-2 and take the lead to stay.

With one out, Newbury Park third baseman Travis Scott was hit by a pitch, Thousand Oaks outfielder Zach Ginther singled to third base, and the pair advanced on a ground out. But the ground out was not as simple as that.

As Ginther was heading into second base, he and Rio Mesa second baseman James Segovia collided and Segovia caught a foot on the infield and turned an ankle.

Play resumed after paramedics arrived to take him in an ambulance to the hospital.

After Fillmore shortstop Matt Stars walked on the next play, Moorpark catcher/third baseman Nick Dingman singled to left field. Failing to notice Stars on second, Dingman tried to stretch his hit into a double. But the incoming throw sailed past second and into right field, and when the chaos was over, all four runners had scored.

After the East went ahead 6-2, the West scored one in the sixth inning and one more in the seventh. The West got its final run in the ninth.

Westlake pitcher Travis Turek, selected in the 44th round of the 2005 amateur draft by the Cleveland Indians, is weighing his options between possibly signing a pro contract or going to school.

“Things look good, I’ve talked to a few schools. I just hope with the draft that things will go from here,” Turek said. “I haven’t committed anywhere. I’m still waiting for the right opportunity.” A good part of his development, Turek said, was getting to compete in one of So Cal’s most baseball rich areas—a fact clearly on display Sunday at Ventura College.

“The Marmonte League is one of the toughest leagues, a lot of tough competition,” Turek said. “I had more trouble in the Marmonte League than in travel leagues, scout ball. It’s a great league.”