Charles Henderson rising senior Jackson Murphy has been selected by Team Alabama to participate in the first Southeastern Shootout held at Troy University.

Murphy was one of over 120 baseball players from across the state to take part in the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association’s 17th annual All-Star Event that consisted of clinics, workouts and games June 14-16. On average over 40 college coaches and five professional scouts attend the event every year and Jackson impressed enough to be included on the all-star roster.

“The cool part of it is knowing that we are going to be going up against the best guys, the best pitchers and all around good hitters,” Murphy said. “It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Murphy will once again have an opportunity to impress people at the next level as he will be joined in the dugout by former Troy head coach Bobby Pierce, current Shelton State head coach Bobby Sprowl and two professional scouts.

“It’s an opportunity I have to take advantage of,” Murphy said. “It’s not everyday you have two pro scouts as your coach, along with a former Division 1 coach. Bobby Pierce is a great guy. That’s the part I am really excited about.”

As a catcher, Murphy hopes to impress the fans and scouts.

“You really have to show off everything,” Murphy said. “I am a catcher. For me I have to receive the ball and be able to throw it. Hitting is at the bottom of the list and it’s a bonus. For me as a catcher, I need to show off my defensive work.”

Another key responsibility of a catcher is to have a strong relationship with his pitchers. Murphy has played for the East Coast Sox travel ball team during the summer and he has learned how to form relationships with new pitchers.

“In high school ball, me and my pitchers know each other,” Murphy said. “As a catcher you have to have a really good relationship with your pitcher. The catcher and pitcher need to be in sync to get the game going. With these guys, you have to be really open and ask them what they like to throw.”

The tournament games will begin this morning when Alabama takes on Louisiana at 11:30 a.m. Alabama will play Mississippi at 7:30 p.m.

Other teams scheduled to compete are Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee.

Each team will play in a round robin with the top two teams competing on Thursday at noon.

“It’s right in my own back yard,” Murphy said. “I get to give my parents a break. They take me all over the southeast. I like to represent my hometown and I like to wear Charles Henderson on my chest everyday. I get to represent my town and my school.”

Tickets can be purchased at the stadium on the day of the games. Adult tickets will be $8 per day and $20 for a three-day pass. 13 year olds through high school students will be charged $5 a day and children 12 and under will be admitted free.