EDITOR’S NOTE: Nick Helmstetter broke his left armWednesday afternoon in a motorscooter accident and will be unableto play Saturday. However, he will dress in the all-star uniformand participate in the pregame ceremony

Brookhaven’s Nick Helmstetter is looking forward to Saturday’s35th Annual D.M. Howie Mississippi High School All-Star BaseballGame. The Class 4A/5A contest starts at 6 p.m., in Pearl’sTrustmark Park.

Helmstetter, a 6-foot, 190-pound standout on the mound and atthe plate, was instrumental in Ole Brook’s march to a 20-8 recordand a runner-up finish in the Division 6-4A race. He batted ateam-best .508, hitting 10 doubles, 1 home run and collecting 22RBIs.

He was impressive on the mound, too, compiling a 5-3 record anda skimpy 0.71 ERA. He struck out 82 batters and walked 21.

A Meridian Community College signee, Helmstetter was named OleBrook’s Most Valuable Player and Team Captain. He was named to theMississippi Association of Coaches Class 4A All-State Team as autility player. He was recognized as The DAILY LEADER’s MostValuable Offensive Player on the 2009 All-Lincoln County Team.

Helmstetter’s expertise on the mound is complimented by hisability to spray hits to all fields as a right-handed batter. He isthe first .500-plus batter at BHS in Coach Randy Spring’s 10 yearsat the helm.

“Nick became a lot more patient (at bat) this year,” saidSpring. “He cut down on his strikeouts and got more walks. He was amore consistent batter for us.”

Helmstetter agreed with his coach. “I’m a lot more patient. Itry to keep the ball in play.”

He uses an Easton SV12 bat, measuring 33 inches long andweighing 30 ounces. He likes to hit an inside fastball.

“I really enjoy pitching, too,” said Helmstetter. He said he waswilling to play any position for Meridian coach Chris Rose.

After playing in Saturday’s all-star game, Helmstetter willtravel to Meridian to assist with a baseball camp. He has beenplaying for the Jackson 96ers this summer.

Looking to the future, Helmstetter said his dream is to playMajor League Baseball. “Whatever God has planned for me. I’mthankful for the opportunities He has given me.”

The 18-year-old son of Chad and Stacie Oberschmidt celebrateshis 19th birthday Dec. 1.

Joining Helmstetter on the South 4A/5A all-star squad are KennyRoberts of Meridian, Matt Anthony of Brandon, Anthony Izzio ofVancleave, Matt Linton of Moss Point, Bobo Morgan of Forrest CountyAHS, Jared Bales of Picayune, Michael Santos of Gulfport, JoelTanner of Moss Point, Morris Grant of Terry, Ben Slaton, RobertWineski and Zach DeSoto of Ocean Springs, Devin Brewer ofHattiesburg, Buck Bernard and Matthew Magee of Petal, James Abrahamof Bay St. Louis, and Graham Odom of Pascagoula.

South coaches are Neil Bartling of Brandon and Jesse Kanode ofOcean Springs. North 4A/5A coaches are Sam Adams of Caledonia andShane Faulkner of DeSoto Central.

Both all-star games are sponsored by Big Buck Sports.

Class 1A/2A/3A

The Class 1A/2A/3A All-Star game starts at 1 p.m. Like the Class4A/5A team, there is an obvious shortage of players from southwestMississippi. Pitcher/infielder Preston Edwards of Natchez Cathedralwill play for the South.

Coaching the South 1A/2A/3A squad are Shay Cooper of SoutheastLauderdale and Chad Davis of Raleigh. North coaches are John “Boo”Ellis of Riverside and John Ellison of Houston.