For one pair, it's another chance to display their abilities.
For the other pair, it's simply validation of a good season.

Four Portland Sea Dogs will take part in the Eastern League All-Star game tonight in Bowie, Md.

Outfielder Brett Roneberg, catcher Jeff Bailey, shortstop Kenny Perez and pitcher Abe Alvarez will play for the Northern Division

Roneberg and Bailey, both 25, have 17 years of pro ball between them.
They are free agents, always looking for their best opportunities after each season.

"An all-star game is a place to showcase what you've got," Roneberg said.
"You don't know who's out there watching."

Roneberg is with his fourth organization in the last four years.

Bailey is with his third organization.
While he likes the Red Sox, he knows his future could rest with someone else.
"When you're in the minor leagues, you're playing for every team," Bailey said.
"I'm sure there will be a lot of scouts there (tonight).
Hey, we all need to try and get jobs next year, too."

Bailey is among the league leaders in average (.314) and slugging percentage (.561), and is tops in on-base percentage (.427).
He also has 12 home runs.

Roneberg leads the team with 56 RBI and is batting .288 with 12 home runs.

Despite their experience, this is the first all-star game for either player.

Perez, 22, is in his fourth full pro season and is in his second all-star game.
He played in the Florida State League event two years ago.
Perez is two years away from free agency, assuming the Red Sox don't put him on the 40-man roster by then.
Perez is putting up best-ever numbers as a pro, with a .281 batting average, 20 doubles and 42 RBI.
"I couldn't be happier," Perez said of the numbers and his all-star selection.
"It's pretty nice knowing that you're competing with a lot of good shortstops in this league."

Alvarez, 21, is an all-star in his first full pro season.
Alvarez was a second-round draft pick last year and pitched only 19 innings for short-season Lowell.
The Red Sox surprisingly sent Alvarez to Double-A Portland, bypassing the Class A leagues.
The move has worked out with the left-handed Alvarez recording an 8-6 record with a 3.64 ERA.
In 96 innings, he has struck out 81, walking 23.
"It's definitely an honor," Alvarez said.
"It's a little icing on the cake for me.
I showed I belonged up here and made an all-star team."

THE GAME
This is the second year for the Eastern League All-Star game, after years of a combined Double-A game that included the Texas and Southern leagues.
With 12 teams in the league and 48 all-stars picked, every team has at least three players on it.
The majority, like Portland, have four.
Binghamton has five all-stars and host Bowie has six.
Perhaps the most anticipated appearance in today's game will be when Reading's Ryan Howard bats.
He leads all of pro baseball with 33 home runs.

THE 2005 GAME
The worst-kept secret is the site of the 2005 game - Portland.
What has been common knowledge for more than a year hasn't officially been announced yet.
Sea Dogs officials can't comment on the 2005 game until the Eastern League officially awards it to Portland.
Still, a contingent from the Sea Dogs' front office is in Bowie, making observations and preparing for next summer.