While many of their friends and teammates are relaxing by the pool or making beach trips, Cole Wilson and John Michael Stephens laced up their spikes and took to the baseball field.

The pair of Charles Henderson baseball players are taking part in the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Underclassmen All-Star Event at Riddle-Pace Field at Troy University.

Stephens, a pitcher, and Wilson, an outfielder, each tried out for the event in Eufaula, and are happy to be selected as some of the top baseball players in the state of Alabama.

“It means a lot to me personally,” Stephens said. “It makes you feel like you mean a lot to your team, and that other people see potential in you and that you have a future in baseball.”

Wilson agreed with his teammate.

“These guys are the some of the best baseball players in the state, and to be here mixing it up with them is cool,” Wilson said. “There are some really good players here this weekend.”

The event, in its eighth year hosted by Troy, is put on by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association and showcases some the best underclassmen ball players from around the state of Alabama.

The players, in addition to playing games against one another, are given an introduction to college baseball.

Player parents attended an academic presentation, while ball players met with coaches.

Stephens said that he has seen a couple of familiar faces during the team games and practices.

“We have a couple of guys on our team that we played at Beauregard and UMS-Wright,” said Stephens. “We haven’t talked smack, just chatted about how good those games were and how much fun we had playing those nights.”

Wilson said that the opportunity to play with new players, and see some old friends is something he enjoys.

“I have played with a lot of theses guys before at different tournaments and games,” Wilson said. “But some of them are new to me, they are all good players, and will be friends by the end of the week.”

The event continues through Thursday.