LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 11, 2009)--Bellarmine University Head Baseball Coach Deron Spink is getting the rare opportunity of participating in Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby scheduled for Monday, July 13 in Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Spink will be pitching to 2006 Home Run Derby Champion Ryan Howard. The first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies asked Spink to serve as his pitcher because the pair have talked hitting and remained friends since Spink coached Howard the summer after the slugger got out of high school.

The Home Run Derby will be a reunion of sorts for Spink and Howard, as the pair met in St. Louis (Howard's hometown).

Spink said the invitation came as bit of a surprise, but he was happy to have the opportunity. "We've remained friends over the years, and I've probably thrown (Howard) about 1,000 pitches during that time," Spink said.

The Home Run Derby is an annual event during MLB's All-Star Break. It will be televised on Monday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.