This Friday for the second straight year, rivals St. Edward and St. Ignatius will take their "Holy War" to Jacobs Field as part of the Cleveland Indians Second Annual CIC High School Hardball Classic.

Fans interested in attending the Hardball Classic can purchase a "Support Cleveland's Kids" package (one day ticket for 5/5 or 5/6, Indians bleacher seat for select May home game & CIC wristband) for only $12 on Indians.com, at the participating schools or day of game at Jacobs Field.

Last year, St. Ignatius' Jeremy Farrell put on a pitching clinic for six innings. The Bay Village resident handcuffed the Eagles on one hit before the Eagles exploded for six runs in the seventh to steal the victory.

The Wildcats have gotten some measure of revenge this season for the loss, but it still stings a little.

"It was such a big day and it is never fun to lose to them," Farrell said. "The Ed's game is always big, and then to go to the Jake makes it even better. Playing in front of that big crowd last season was awesome."

St. Ignatius senior Jeremy Farrell at last year’s game at Jacob’s Field. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Farrell, the son of former Indians pitcher and current director of player development John Farrell, had been at the Jake the night before watching one of the game's best pitchers on the same mound, he would be on the next day.

"I was at the game the night before watching Pedro Martinez pitch, and then there I was on the same mound he had pitched on and my father had pitched on," Jeremy said. "It was awesome. It isn't the same as the real thing but it was a little taste of what the big leagues are like."

For John, it was a dream come true as well.

"There is no doubt about it, I was proud," John said. "Being on the same mound is something that can link generations. It is great to see your children experience success."

Farrell has been accepted to the University of Virginia on a baseball scholarship.

"I really liked everything about Virginia," Jeremy said. "I liked all of the coaches, it has a great facility and it is a good school."

Virginia is known for being a great academic school. Jeremy believes that St. Ignatius has prepared him for that challenge.

"St. Ignatius has helped become more of a man," Jeremy said. "It has helped my study habits and religious life. It has prepared me well for college and for life."

His father agrees.

"Cleary the school has shaped Jeremy more as a person than as an athlete," John said. "You can see it in his interactions with other people. He is more outgoing and the challenging academics has put him in line for a school with such academics as Virginia."

But what would happen if Jeremy was drafted?

"That is a decision I would have to make on draft day," Jeremy said.

His father said the decision to go pro would be Jeremy's, just as the decision to accept the scholarship to Virginia was. John said Jeremy's pitching style is similar to his own, but their hitting styles are worlds apart.

"That is the biggest difference -- I could never hit," John said. "We have a similar style on the mound, but I think he has a greater focus."

"As a pitcher, I try to attack hitters and throw strikes to keep my fielders in play," Jeremy said.

Both father and son see Jeremy's future at the hot corner of third base.

"I do see myself as third baseman down the road," Jeremy said. "It is the hot corner where you are so close to the game. I really enjoy playing the infield."

"As he has physically matured, his abilities show third base as his best position," John said. "You see the same attributes in the third basemen in our minor league system."

St. Ignatius has a new head coach this year in Brad Ganor. Farrell said a new coach has not altered the goal at the all.

"We feel every year we can be state champions," Jeremy said. "The transition this year has been very smooth. Coach Ganor was previously my pitching coach. He is very organized and motivational. The change has been a good one.

Jeremy is grateful for the opportunity that Cleveland Indians have given his teammates and opponents.

"I want to thank John Carter (of Community Relations) and the Indians for putting this on," Jeremy said. "All the teams appreciate it. It is a great experience."

Playing a high school game at Jacobs Field is an honor. But the goal is to one day play there for real.

"Playing in the big leagues has always been my dream," Jeremy said.

If determination can make it happen, then John believes it will.

"He has overriding commitment and desire to become a major league player," John said. "That says a lot about him."