CALIFORNIA LEAGUE ALL-STAR BASEBALL GAME : Cook Sees Many Stars, All Right

JetHawk second baseman Jason Cook was hit in the face by a bat that flew through the netting around the batting cage during batting practice, forcing him out of the starting lineup.

“I didn’t see anything,� Cook said. “I felt a whack, then all I know is what people tell me.�

Cook temporarily blacked out. When he came to, he lay on the trainer’s table for about half an hour with a glazed look on his face. Cook was taken to the hospital as a precaution, but X-rays were not necessary.

Cook returned to the Epicenter and was in the dugout for the game. Lake Elsinore Storm infielder Joe Urso took Cook’s place in the starting lineup. . . .

The Carolina League beat the Cal League, 8-1, in the home run hitting contest, with Keith Kimsey of the Visalia Oaks providing the only home run for the home team. Five batters from each side had 10 outs, with any swing other than a home run being an out.

Ron Wright of the Durham Bulls and Sean Casey of the Kinston Indians each hit three homers, with Wright edging Casey in a playoff for the individual title. Durham’s Andruw Jones, considered the top prospect in minor league baseball, went homerless. . . .

Marcus Sturdivant is planning a surprise for his family.

Sturdivant, the JetHawks’ center fielder who was selected for the All-Star game, will report later this week to the Seattle Mariners’ double-A team in Wilmington, N.C.

Sturdivant, whose hometown is about two hours from Wilmington, said he has not called his family and told them of his promotion.

“I just want to knock on the door,� Sturdivant said. . . .

The television arrangement for the game could not have worked out much better for Sturdivant, Cook and starting pitcher Ken Cloude. All are from Mid-Atlantic states that are covered by Home Team Sports, the cable network showing the game in Carolina League country.

Sturdivant is from North Carolina, Cook from Virginia and Cloude from Baltimore, Md. Jose Cruz Jr.’s family in Houston needed to rely on a satellite dish. . . .

Longtime Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants’ announcer Lon Simmons did the television broadcast with Michael Curto, the Quakes’ announcer. . . .

Next year’s game will be in Durham, N.C. JetHawk General Manager Matt Ellis said he will try to land the 1998 game for Lancaster.