Farragut's Ryan Hagenow won't play in Perfect Game All-American Classic because of TSSAA rule

 Ryan Hagenow, Farragut's No. 1 pitcher last season, was selected Thursday for the Perfect Game All-American Classic, but he won't participate in the game due to a TSSAA rule. 

TSSAA bylaws state an athlete can't participate in an All-Star game after school starts, unless the student has no eligibility remaining. Hagenow will be a senior this year.  The game is Aug. 11 at Petco Park in San Diego. Farragut's first day of school is Aug. 5. 

If Hagenow were to play in the game, he would be ineligible to play his senior season. The Kentucky commitment confirmed he will not play in the game, but he can participate in the event's other activities, including practice, and not lose his eligibility, TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress said.

"I'm excited and honored for the opportunity to be around the top 50 players in the country," Hagenow said in a direct message. "Especially since a good amount of those players will be professional baseball players in the next few years." 

Hagenow helped lead Farragut to its first state title in five years, beating Bradley Central in the Class AAA state championship at Spring Fling. Hagenow pitched a complete game and had 11 strikeouts in the victory. 

"Even though he won't be able to participate, he'll still does some pretty cool things," Farragut coach Matt Buckner said. "It's still a pretty big deal."