2002 National Classic High School Baseball Tournament Series in Southern California

Business Wire, March 28, 2002

Sports Editors/Baseball Writers & Columnists

FULLERTON, Calif.--(BW SportsWire)--March 28, 2002

The Toyo Tires(R) National Classic baseball series returns to the southland, pitting top high school teams from around the nation against some of California's best.

The tournament's winning team has topped the national ranking six times in the past 11 years.

Competing teams include:

-- Arizona -- Sabino and Tucson High Schools, Tucson, and Canyon Del Oro, Oro
Valley

-- California -- Bishop Amat, La Puente; El Capitan, Lakeside; El Dorado,
Placentia; Esperanza High School, Anaheim; Foothill High School, Redding;
Granada High School, Livermore; Lakewood High School, Lakewood; La Quinta High
School, Huntington Beach; West Hills Chaminade High School, Northridge.

-- Florida -- Belen Jesuit Prep, Miami; Cooper City High School, Cooper City.

-- Nevada -- Reid High School, Sparks.

-- Tennessee -- McCallie High School, Chattanooga.

Many teams which have competed in the Toyo Tires(R) National Classic have been rated in the Top 25 in national polls, while more than 234 athletes have been drafted into major league baseball teams. Opening ceremonies begin Saturday, March 30 at El Dorado High School in Placentia, Calif., with an entire week of competition culminating in the finale on Thursday, April 4 at California State University Fullerton's Baseball Stadium.

"Supporting this tournament is a way for Toyo to give back to the community. We have always been a supporter of grassroots organizations. However, this prestigious event is a means to reward top youth athletes from around the country. It is an honor to be the title sponsor of this distinguished tournament. We wish all the teams the best of luck," stated Gary Kirschke, director of marketing, Toyo Tire (USA) Corp.

For more information regarding the Toyo Tires(R) National Classic, contact Todd Rogers, event director, telephone 714/993-2838, facsimile 714/993-0218, or view the comprehensive schedule at http://baseballresource.com/nationalclassic.htm.

Toyo Tires, based in Cypress, Calif., is the manufacturer of a complete line of high performance and original equipment replacement tires for passenger car, light truck, commercial truck, bus, off-road and construction applications. Toyo's support of this series helps promote and benefit youth baseball programs throughout the United States. For more information about Toyo Tires, log onto toyo.com.