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Plano's Jason Phillips pulls double duty as shortstop and pitcher. His all-star approach? ‘Work two times harder.'
Plano's Jason Phillips pulls double duty as shortstop and pitcher. His all-star approach? ‘Work two times harder.'

Chicago Tribune

time11-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Chicago Tribune

Plano's Jason Phillips pulls double duty as shortstop and pitcher. His all-star approach? ‘Work two times harder.'

Uncommitted heading into his senior year, Plano's Jason Phillips knows he has to work extra hard to get his name out there. Playing at a smaller high school presents some challenges in that regard, but the shortstop/pitcher is doing his best to increase his visibility this summer. Playing in the Double Duty Classic at the Chicago White Sox's Rate Field was a step in that direction. 'Really all you need is an opportunity,' Phillips said. 'If you perform out there, that opens the way to plenty more opportunities. I think events like this definitely help. 'I love where I'm from. I just have to work two times harder.' Phillips impressed both on the mound and with a sharp single at the plate. Walking into a professional stadium for the first time as a player left a profound impact on Phillips. 'I've never played on a field like this before,' Phillips said. 'Just walking into the dugout was surreal. Walking into the clubhouse and seeing your name on the plate, putting on the jersey, it was surreal.' The nature of the event itself, which was being hosted to honor the old East-West Negro League games that were held at Comiskey Park, also wasn't lost on Phillips. The game was filled with Black players, which resonates with Phillips. Look no further than the number he wears for the Reapers, the same one made famous by Jackie Robinson. 'Having that experience is important to him,' said former Plano coach Nate Hill, who is taking over as the Reapers' athletic director this year. 'He's sporting No. 42 for us, so it's definitely something he doesn't take lightly.' Perhaps more importantly, there were dozens of college coaches and professional scouts on hand at Rate Field as well. He's still patiently trying to find a college destination. 'I'm just trying to go out there and have fun,' Phillips said. 'When I play my best, hopefully somebody sees that and that's where I end up. I try not to put too much pressure on myself.' What the scouts are seeing is a transformed player. Already a fearsome hitter at 6-foot-1, 226 pounds, Phillips took a massive jump this season with his athleticism. The statistic that stands out, however, is a program-record seven triples. He never hit a triple in his career before this season. 'Becoming a full player is going to pay off for him,' Hill said. 'He dropped over 30 pounds, and it really showed this spring. He was super athletic. His bat spoke for himself. 'He played shortstop for us, and he played a fantastic shortstop.' Oswego's Kamrin Jenkins is one of Phillips' closest friends. They're also travel teammates at Top Tier West, and Jenkins was Phillips' teammate at the Double Duty Classic. Jenkins has seen Phillips' transformation firsthand. 'He's like my brother,' Jenkins said. 'This past year and a half has been crucial for him. He was in the weight room. He was telling me how he was doing cardio and eating better. 'He looks like a real ballplayer now.' Hill hopes all of that translates to an opportunity for Phillips to play at a high level in college. 'He wants to put himself on the map,' Hill said. 'When I met with him coming into his freshman year, this was the ideal path and track that he and his family were on. 'Being able to see him step into that is huge. To be back-to-back all-state is huge. The success he's had has spoken for itself.' That support is another crucial part of Phillips' development. 'Sometimes, confidence can be a thing you struggle with, definitely with me too,' Phillips said. 'Being around people that believe in me and believe that I can do good things means a lot.'

Oswego's Kamrin Jenkins soaks up playing on Chicago White Sox's field in Double Duty Classic. ‘Such an experience.'
Oswego's Kamrin Jenkins soaks up playing on Chicago White Sox's field in Double Duty Classic. ‘Such an experience.'

Chicago Tribune

time10-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Chicago Tribune

Oswego's Kamrin Jenkins soaks up playing on Chicago White Sox's field in Double Duty Classic. ‘Such an experience.'

When Oswego's Kamrin Jenkins walked onto Rate Field, visions he's had in his head came to life. Invited by the Chicago White Sox to participate on July 2 in the Double Duty Classic, in honor of the legendary Ted 'Double Duty' Radcliffe, Jenkins played for the East All-Star team. As he emerged from the dugout in his Negro League-inspired uniform, there it was. 'Someday,' Jenkins said, 'I want to play here.' With his pedigree, Jenkins may very well get that chance. Committed to Missouri since last October, he's ranked No. 4 in the 2026 class for Illinois, according to Prep Baseball Report. The 6-foot, 183-pound shortstop has elite speed on the bases or at the plate and plays slick defense, all traits that portend to a breakout spring next season as a senior. 'You watch him play, he has all the tools,' Oswego coach Joe Giarrante said of Jenkins. 'He makes throws up the middle look easy. His name is prevalent, so teams will do all they can to not give him pitches to hit. He gets on base and he's always a threat to take second and third.' Jenkins, however, wasn't always able to let it rip like he wanted to last season for the Panthers. An injury limited him to duties as the designated hitter for much of the spring, a factor that Giarrante feels works against a five-tool player like Jenkins. Plus, with his SEC commitment in hand, opponents didn't want to pitch to Jenkins, leading to an increase in walks. 'He may not have the stats to prove it, but over time, when he gets to where he wants to get as a baseball player, this can only help him,' Giarrante said. 'This past spring with him not starting in the field, he's one of those guys that constantly has to be in the game. 'His bat will definitely improve when he's playing the field.' This summer, Jenkins is relishing his time with Top Tier West. In a lineup loaded with talent, teams have no choice but to put pitches across the plate. And he has been ready to pounce. 'I feel like more people try to attack me because I'm going to Missouri and I play in front of a lot of scouts,' Jenkins said. 'They want to see if they can really play at that level. 'I love it because I get to hit some pitches and get everyone's best stuff.' Many scouts were on hand at the Double Duty Classic, an annual event designed to promote baseball in inner cities and honor the history of Negro League baseball. Dozens of college and professional scouts watched two all-star teams made up of rising seniors. Troy Williams, who runs the White Sox's ACE program and community baseball initiatives, pointed out that the goal of the game is multifold. 'You want to pay homage to the East-West game that was once played at Comiskey Park,' Williams said. 'That's why we wear the uniforms we wear. We're trying to recreate the history of that game and give the kids a history lesson. 'We invite as many college and pro scouts as we can. They get a chance to get on a stage where they can be recruited. That's the main goal.' The significance of the game and its history wasn't lost on Jenkins. 'It's different for sure, looking around and seeing people that look like you,' Jenkins said. 'You're used to playing with all types of people. Having your own brotherhood makes it special. 'There's so much talent out there that's not recognized.' Jenkins is already well-recognized. And once he started taking ground balls, he felt right at home. 'The field is big, but it's almost the size of a regular field,' Jenkins said. 'It was different seeing the bleachers and all of the sponsors. It was such an experience to play on a big-league field.' In the future, maybe days like this will become the norm for Jenkins. 'I'm just trying to put my name out there, keep doing what I'm doing,' Jenkins said. 'Hopefully, in next year's draft, I'm in there.'

Thornwood's Amira Hondras stars in Double Duty Classic at Chicago White Sox's Rate Field. Is college baseball next?
Thornwood's Amira Hondras stars in Double Duty Classic at Chicago White Sox's Rate Field. Is college baseball next?

Chicago Tribune

time08-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Chicago Tribune

Thornwood's Amira Hondras stars in Double Duty Classic at Chicago White Sox's Rate Field. Is college baseball next?

As a girl who plays varsity baseball for Thornwood, Amira Hondras has become accustomed to breaking barriers. Her latest first was quite an exciting one. On July 2, she became the first female to play in the Double Duty Classic at the Chicago White Sox's Rate Field. The annual event, which started in 2007, is an all-star game for inner-city players across the country designed to promote baseball in inner cities and honor the history of Negro League baseball. The game is named after Negro League star Ted 'Double Duty' Radcliffe. 'Being able to be the first girl to play in this Double Duty Classic game is definitely an honor and a privilege,' Hondras said. 'I'm so grateful for the opportunity and everybody that's helped me get to this point. 'These are definitely the moments I've dreamed of ever since I was a little kid and started playing baseball.' Hondras did more than just take the field at an MLB park. She came through with the biggest hit of the game, ripping a two-run single to left field with two outs in the fifth inning to help the East All-Stars earn a 7-2 win over the West All-Stars. 'It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders a little bit,' Hondras said. 'I felt like no matter what the outcome was, I'm super grateful to be out here, but it was definitely an amazing feeling.' Hondras — who is heading into her senior year at Thornwood, where she pitches and plays both infield and outfield — also stole third base. She struck out in her second and final at-bat. When she came through with the big hit, however, the crowd went wild. Hondras was cheered on enthusiastically throughout the night. 'That felt great,' Hondras said. 'Being able to have all this support means the world to me. Knowing I had people behind me, I'm super grateful for that.' It wasn't lost on Hondras that many of the people making the loudest noise on her behalf were younger girls who came to watch her play. 'At the end of the day, that's what it's all about,' Hondras said. 'Inspiring the younger generation of girls who really want to play baseball. It's all about having them see it happen and being like, 'Oh, OK, I can do this.'' Hondras certainly left a strong impression on her teammates in the game. Mario Medina, a catcher headed into his senior year at Mount Carmel, was also a part of the East's winning team and delivered an RBI single. He was thrilled Hondras had her big moment. 'That was really good,' Medina said. 'It was a big hit. It sealed the deal for us pretty much. It was great to see her succeed.' In 2020, Hondras became the first girl to play for the White Sox ACE program, which helps put on the Double Duty Classic and had many of its players in this year's game. Troy Williams, the director of ACE and Community Baseball Programs for the White Sox, has seen Hondras continue to thrive in a sport that most expected her to leave a long time ago. 'Amira is a special kid,' Williams said. 'She never allowed people to sway her away from playing the game. She could have easily went to the softball side and I'm sure she would have been great there, too. But she continues to grind and she's like, 'I'm going to do it until I can't do it anymore.' 'Having her play in this game, I'm proud of her, I'm happy for her, and I hope she's enjoying every moment.' On the morning of the Double Duty Classic, an announcement was made regarding the launch of the new Women's Professional Baseball League, founded by Justine Siegal, the first woman to coach for an MLB team. That was certainly exciting news for Hondras. 'Seeing stuff like the women's pro league and the women's national team, seeing all that happening at such a fast and all the girls playing baseball, it's really almost a dream come true,' she said. Hondras has a big decision coming fairly soon. With college around the corner, she's considered to switching to softball, but she recently received her first offer from a college baseball team. 'For me, the dream would still be to play baseball in college,' she said. 'I've always wanted to keep playing until somebody stops me. But at the end of the day, I just want to go play somewhere that feels like home. 'I'm going to follow my heart.'

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