Why Lipscomb Academy's Jack O'Dowd can play in Perfect Game Classic while two other Tennessee baseball standouts can't due to TSSAA rules

Three Tennessee high school baseball seniors have been selected for this year's Perfect Game Classic, which will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday (MLB Network) at Petco Park in San Diego.

However, only one of those players — Lipscomb Academy shortstop Jack O'Dowd — can play in the game and not have his eligibility for his senior season in jeopardy.

The reason? The TSSAA's all-star rule.

The rule states: "No student shall be permitted to participate in an all-star game unless it is sanctioned by the TSSAA and unless he/she has completed high school eligibility in that sport."

Any athlete who fails to comply loses athletic eligibility for a period of time to be determined by the Board of Control.

Tennessee athletes can participate if classes haven't started at their school. This is why O'Dowd is eligible for the game. Lipscomb Academy returns to class on Wednesday.

Farragut pitcher Ryan Hagenow and Independence's Robert Hassell III both were picked for the Classic and are allowed to be at Petco Park. They just can't play in the game because their schools have returned to class for the 2019-20 school year.

Farragut students returned to class on Aug. 5. Independence students returned to class with a half day on Aug. 9.

Hagenow, a Kentucky commitment, is a 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher. He went 13-1 with a 1.01 ERA. He struck out 96 batters and walked 21.

Hassell, a Vanderbilt commitment and 2019 Tennessean Baseball Player of the Year, is a 6-2 outfielder and pitcher. He was 5-2 on the mound with a 1.07 ERA. He had 113 strikeouts with just 21 walks. He hit .423 with 14 home runs and eight doubles.

O'Dowd hit .374 with 14 doubles and four home runs for the Mustangs. 

For years, this has been referred to as the Sonny Gray rule. Gray, a former Vanderbilt standout who is now pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, was picked for the event prior to his senior year at Smyrna in 2007.

However, he was not permitted by TSSAA rules to play in the game because of the rule. 

Tullahoma's Justus Sheffield played in the 2013 Perfect Game Classic after he withdrew from school prior to the event. He then re-enrolled after playing in the classic.

The TSSAA has since adapted the all-star rule stating "if a student-athlete withdraws from school and participates in an All-Star game prior to completing their high school eligibility in that sport, he or she will be ineligible to participate in that sport 12 months past the date of the All-Star game."

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Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.