Sumter, S.C., to Host American Legion Baseball 2009 Regional Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sumter, S.C., will be the site of The American Legion Baseball Southeast Regional Tournament, Aug. 6-10, 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 Post 15 will host and play in the double elimination tournament. The five-day event will showcase state championship teams from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Tennessee.

American Legion National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette Jr. said, "Sumter Post 15 and Riley Park will be an outstanding site for the tournament. South Carolina has a very active American Legion Baseball program. Sumter also has outstanding community support and excellent organizing committee. Riley Park is one the top ball parks in the country. The players and coach will be excited with the opportunity to play at this stadium. The winning team will move onto Fargo, N.D., and participate in the annual American Legion World Series.

Organizers for the nation's largest veteran's organization expect the tournament to boost the Sumter economy with approximately one thousand fans, and 350 motel-room nights required at this tournament. Sumter business should gain $500,000 in retail sales.

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 located in Cooperstown, N.Y., including Tony Gywnn, Carl Yastrzemski, Wade Boggs, Paul Molitor, Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, Dave Winfield, Sparky Anderson, Carlton Fisk, Bob Feller, Brooks Robinson, Yogi Berra, Jim Palmer, Reggie Jackson, Dave Winfield, Rollie Fingers and Tom Seaver.

CONTACT: Jim Quinlan, (317) 630-1214