FREEPORT - The Freeport International Baseball Invitational closed out its 11th season Saturday night with what might become an annual tradition itself.

For the first time since the competition began in 1994, the Invite's last game was a battle between star players from United States and international teams at Swartz Field.

"We asked that all managers submit names of the kids from their team who they felt deserved to play in the game," said Sonny Westerman, co-founder of the Invite. "A few of the international coaches are the ones who thought of the idea and we figured we'd give it a shot."

Thirty-four players made the U.S. squad while 21 players from Canada, Puerto Rico and Japan formed the international team.

The game was called after two outs in the top of the seventh with the international team ahead 6-2. It was shortened to allow for a fireworks display along the Allegheny River at 10 p.m.

The U.S. team featured six local players.

Dave Steighner and Brian Warheit, both from Butler, represented the Ford City Great Lakes Junior team, which consists of 14 and 15 year olds.

Both flied out in their only plate appearance. Steighner saw action at second base in the third inning while Warheit was on the mound when the game was called in the seventh.

"I wish they would have let us finish the game," Warheit said. "But it was worth it to come out here and compete against international players. We'll probably be back next year."

Steighner and Warheit aren't finished with baseball just yet.

Their team will be competing in the Keystone State Games in August in Wilkes-Barre.

Two players from the Freeport Palomino team (Mike Barch and Shane Sarver) and two from Freeport Colt (J.P Samay and Justin Sukala) also played for the U.S. team.

Twenty-three players on the U.S. team were from Pennsylvania. Other states represented were Ohio, New York, Indiana and Kentucky.

The international team featured three players from Japan, three from Puerto Rico and 15 from the three Canadian teams that competed during the week.

The event didn't go over as smoothly as some had hoped.

"I'd like to try it again next year," said Anardy Martinez, one of three coaches for the international team. "But it has to be better organized. There were so many players, it was tough making the lineup card and trying to get them all in the game."