DEERFIELD POST 738

2010 World Series

INDIANAPOLIS (May 8, 2008) – Avista Stadium in Spokane, Wash., will be the site of the 2010 World Series of American Legion Baseball, the nation’s oldest high school aged baseball program for 15- to 19-year-olds.

The National Executive Committee, the formal name of The American Legion’s board of directors, announced today at its annual spring meeting here that Spokane American Legion Baseball Inc., will host the series. The American Legion World Series will feature the nation’s eight regional champions in a double-elimination tournament.  The five-day event will be held Aug. 13-17, 2010.

"Spokane will be an outstanding site for the series, based on its strong community support and excellent organizing committee,” American Legion National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette Jr. said.  “The city of Spokane will be an outstanding host.”  This is the first time Spokane has hosted The American Legion World Series.  Yakima, Wash., hosted The American Legion World Series in 1954, 1978, and 2001. 

Washington American Legion teams have had excellent success playing American Legion Baseball. There are no host teams at an American Legion World Series. To participate in an American Legion World Series teams must earn the right to participate.  Thirteen Washington American Legion Teams have earned that right to participate. Those cities were Bellingham (07); Bellevue (81 & 95), Kennewick (99 & 04); Pasco (05); Vancouver (87 & 96); and Yakima, Washington (53, 75, 76, 79 & 88) have participated by winning the Northwest Regional Tournament.

There are more than 5,000 registered American Legion teams.  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 Ryan Sandberg, George Brett, Bob Feller, Brooks Robinson, Yogi Berra, Jim Palmer, Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor, Reggie Jackson, Pee Wee Reese, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers and Tom Seaver.

‘It’s the Economy...’

Organizers for the nation’s largest veterans organization expect the Spokane World Series will draw 25,000 to 30,000 spectators to Vista Stadium.  Fans are expected to spend more than $4 million and book about 1,000 motel-room nights. The 2.7-million member American Legion, www.legion.org,  is the nation’s largest veterans organization.

Contact:  James R. Quinlan, (317) 630-1214