By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Laheim Bell will have a major opportunity to boost his recruiting stock headed into his senior season against some of the best high school baseball players throughout the state of Florida.

Bell accepted an invitation to the Prep Baseball Report Senior State Games, September 25-26 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The 6’1” 225 pound catcher and outfielder will represent the East Region after a standout season with the Vero Beach High School Indians.

The Senior State Games is an invite only event that will feature the top 2022 players in the state of Florida representing their home region against the other regions in the state. Each region will consist of only 20-25 players per team and each team will be coached by an ex-Major League player to be announced at a later date.

Players go through a pro-style workouts and play games against the other regions on day one.

On day two, each team will play an additional two games. Batting practice and all 6 total games will be live broadcasted on PBR Florida’s Twitter Page.

The showcase will be featured on the Prep Baseball Report website, which is subscribed to by more than 900 colleges and pro scouts. Event information including statistics and scouting reports will also be posted on the Prep Baseball Report’s website, at www.PrepBaseballReport.com. Last year’s Senior State Games saw scouts from all 30 MLB teams in attendance to watch the top senior players in attendance.

In 23 games of his junior season, Bell hit .419 with a 1.100 OPS, 26 hits, 18 RBI, a team leading two runs and scored 16 runs. The Indians were eliminated in the Regional Quarterfinal with a 3-0 loss to Palm Beach Central. Bell finished 2-3 in the season finale.

The Indians won the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 7A District 9 title to earn their spot in the regionals. Bell was 0-2 in the semifinal win over Centennial but finished 1-2 with one run and one RBI in the District title game win over Treasure Coast.

Bell had an immediate impact on the programme and began April with home-runs in back-to-back games as a part of the Indians’ 18 game winning streak.

He finished 2-4 with one home run, two RBI, and a run scored against Centennial (April 2) and had identical numbers the following game against South Fork (April 6).

Prep Baseball Report was established in 2005 and has evolved into one of the country’s biggest and most respected independent scouting services with more than 150 scouts. PBR lists its mission statement as “to promote amateur baseball - high school, junior college and college - and, ultimately, help athletes achieve their dreams of playing baseball at the next level.”

More than 800 colleges and pro teams subscribe to the Prep Baseball Report services.