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Wednesday morning at War Memorial Stadium, all you could hear were metal bats connecting with baseballs. Clink, clink.

By the sound of it, you would think these were just a bunch of kids taking batting practice. In reality, the field was filled with about 70 college and professional scouts, all quietly watching and taking careful notes.

They were in town to watch some of North Carolina's best high school baseball players compete in the State Games. The annual event, which runs through June 29, is an amateur version of the Olympics. It features more than 15,000 athletes competing in 25 sports.

Perhaps the most serious competition is high school baseball, which began Wednesday with workouts for scouts and continues through Sunday.

"It's really a big deal to make a State Games team," said Chuck Hobgood, the event's president. "There isn't really any other event that brings this many people out."

Around 800 hopefuls tried out for regional teams a month ago. Two hundred spots were awarded. Those selected then were split up into eight teams based on region.

"It's a big honor," said Luke Bard, who is from Charlotte Christian School. "You're playing with all the best players in the area. You get a lot of great exposure."

Wednesday began with scout workouts for underclassmen looking to extend their baseball careers. Each team took turns performing at three stations, showcasing the players' running, throwing and hitting ability.

For scouts, having an event like the State Games provides invaluable access to the state's best competitors.

"It gives us a chance to see the best players in the state of North Carolina, which is where we look to do our recruiting first," said Chad Holbrook, an assistant coach at UNC. "It's always been the event that we circle on our calendars first and foremost. Year in and year out, this is the best event in the state."

The games also bring in scouts from outside the state who are eager to get a look at elite players.

"This is a very good baseball state," said Matt Reid, Army's assistant coach. "This showcase brings all the best players to a place like this where we can see them all at one time."

Though the scout workouts ended Wednesday, the eight regional teams will pair off against each other all weekend. The actual games, which run through Sunday, allow scouts to see players in game situations.

"I like to watch games, because I think games mean more," Reid said. "You get to see them in a competitive environment."

It can be easy for the players to get nervous in such a stressful environment, given the level of competition and the number of scouts in attendance. But pressure, Bard said, is what brings out the best in North Carolina's elite.

"We're still playing baseball, the game we love, and having fun," he said. "If you're not nervous, you're probably not ready."