Appleton to Host American Legion Baseball Regional Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Appleton, Wis., will be the site of The American Legion Baseball Great Lakes Regional Tournament, Aug. 14-19, 2009. The American Legion will be celebrating its 83rd season as the nation’s preeminent baseball program for 15 -to 19-year-olds.


The National Executive Committee of the 2.7-million member American Legion announced at its annual spring meeting in Indianapolis that Appleton Post 38 will host and play in the double-elimination tournament. The five-day event will showcase state championship teams from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.


American Legion National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette Jr. said, “Appleton will be an outstanding site for the tournament. Post 38 has strong community support and an excellent organizing committee. The Don Hawkins Field is a beautiful ballpark and the players and coaches will be excited to play at this great ballpark. The championship team will proceed onto the annual American Legion World Series which will be held in Fargo, N.D. Aug. 14-18, 2009


Organizers for the nation’s largest veteran’s organization expect the tournament to boost the Appleton economy with approximately one thousand fans, and 350 motel-room nights required at this tournament. Appleton businesses should gain $500.000 in retail spending.


More than half of today’s Major Leaguers got their start in American Legion Baseball. Fifty-two former American Legion Baseball players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, including Tony Gywnn, Bruce Sutter, Ryan Sandberg, Wade Boggs, Paul Molitor, Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, Dave Winfield, Sparky Anderson, Carlton Fisk, Bob Feller, Brooks Robinson, Yogi Berra, Jim Palmer, Reggie Jackson, Pee Wee Reese, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers and Tom Seaver.


CONTACT: Jim Quinlan, (317) 630-1214.


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Source: American Legion


CONTACT: Jim Quinlan of the American Legion, +1-317-630-1214


Web Site: http://www.legion.org/