The annual John Baumgarten Classic High School Baseball Series will be held later this month at Petco Park.

The six-game series starts April 24, a Friday, and pits Escondido vs. Mission Hills at 1 p.m. That will be followed by a 4 p.m. game between Otay Ranch and Mater Dei Catholic. Southwest-El Centro will face Imperial at 7 p.m.

The next day features Mountain Empire vs. High Tech Mesa at 10 a.m., Helix vs. El Capitan at 1 p.m. and Vincent Memorial vs. Borrego Springs at 4 p.m.

The public may purchase a ticket package directly from the participating schools. The package includes a general-admission ticket to the high school game as well as a Gallagher Square ticket for a Padres game to be announced. Parking for the John Baumgarten Classic is $5.

Games are limited to seven innings or three hours. Any games that are tied or unfinished will be concluded at the site of the home team no later than the end of the next week.

Brawley hires football coach

After a months-long search, Brawley High School has hired a football coach, plucking Rick Stewart away from Calipatria.

Stewart replaces Bert Esposito, who stepped down after a 2-9 season.

Stewart, who is known for his Wing-T offense, has 16 years of experience at the high school level, including stops at McFarland, Corcoran and Porterville. Brawley’s hire leaves just three San Diego Section schools without a coach: Calipatria, Mount Miguel and Francis Parker.

Helix honors

Helix High School will celebrate 75 years of Highlanders baseball on April 17.

A ceremony honoring five coaches and the past 50 years will begin at 3:30 p.m., with the Highlanders playing El Capitan at 4.

Former coaches Jeff Boutelle, Larry Oedewaldt and Cole Holland plan to attend. Bob Lucas, who died in 2021, will be represented by family members in attendance.

In addition, Helix will recognize the All Decade Team members from 2000-2009 and 2010-2019.

For Furtak

Rancho Bernardo High School will honor longtime pitching coach Mark Furtak before the Broncos’ May 2 home game against Mt. Carmel.

Furtak was RB’s pitching coach for all of Sam Blalock’s seven CIF-championship runs. Furtak mentored star pitchers such as Cole Hamels, Jason Berni, Tom Caple and first-round draft pick Matt Wheatland.

The ceremony honoring Furtak is set for 10:15 a.m. with the game against Mt. Carmel to follow.

Summer baseball

District 22 American Legion Baseball starts the first week of June.

Last summer, 16 teams and more than 300 high school players ages 15 through 18 participated. Legion Posts cover some of the costs of playing, but District 22 officials need sponsors and financial help to maintain the program. Those interested in donating can send a check made out to SD County American Legion Baseball/District 22 to District 22 American Legion Baseball, Attn: Peter-Rolf Ohnstad, 210 W. F St., Encinitas, CA 92024.

For more information, call Ohnstad at 760-809-1752 or email d22albcommish@gmail.com.

Burton Scholarship

The Burton Family is again sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship to honor their late son.

The award will be given to a Granite Hills High School student who exemplifies bravery, patriotism, individuality and kindness.

A star football player at Granite Hills High School, Will Burton was killed in a 2017 car accident.

To contribute to the scholarship fund or to learn more, go to williamburtonspiritoftheeagle.com.

Save a Life

The Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation will host a heart screening event on April 19 at Grossmont High School.

The event is open to people ages 12 to 25 and is designed to detect heart abnormalities that can cause sudden cardiac arrest, the leading cause of death among young athletes.

The event is set for 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register, visit epsavealife.org/get-screened.