SPORTS

Smaller in numbers, State Legion tourney is still top-notch

Tom Wilson
Reporter

LANCASTER – Even though the Ohio American Legion baseball tournament — which began Wednesday at Beavers Field — has dwindled to eight teams, it continues to produce quality competitors and games.

“Overall, our numbers are down and we have lost numerous teams in recent years, but by the time we get to the state tournament, we get eight quality teams,” Legion State Baseball Commissioner Bill Dilts said. “We’ve lost some teams in certain areas, but we are also picking up some teams in other areas.

“We feel like this is still a quality tournament, and we are still sending a quality team to the regional tournament,” a trip that is the prize for the winner of the event.

Even though there is no local team in this year’s tournament, Dilts said three teams are in attendance for the first time or for the first time in many years.

“It would be nice to have a local team to help with more attendance, but the three teams that haven’t been here, or haven’t been here for a while, are bringing nice crowds,” Dilts said. “You can see the excitement with those fans.”

Another factor that makes the tournament memorable for the teams is that the Legion pays for the team hotels and gives them meal money each day. It also hosts a banquet for all the teams the night before the tournament starts, with a featured speaker; this year, former Major League umpire Larry Barnett filled that role.

Dilts said having only eight teams isn’t a bad thing because all of the games cane be played at one facility instead of having to use three fields.

“Getting four games in each day at one place is a plus,” Dilts said. “Having them all in one location really helps with the logistics. We pick an all-tournament team, and when all the games are in one place, it is much easier because you get to see every game.

“It would also be hard to get four games in day at a lot of places, but to be able to play on turf and play at such a nice facility like Beavers Field is also a plus. It just makes everything much easier and it runs smoother.”

In opening day action Wednesday, Toledo defeated St. Clairsville, 12-3, Troy topped Athens, 14-1 and Utica held off Tuscarawas, 11-7. Yeager and Sandusky were through four innings before being delayed because of rain.

The double-elimination tournament continues Thursday with four more games beginning at 10 a.m.

twilson@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4358

Twitter: @twil2323