SHELBY, N.C. — The National American Legion Office and the local American Legion World Series (ALWS) committee have announced that ESPNU will televise the final six games of the series, doubling the number of games on the network.
The games begin at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 11, and the championship is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 16. The three games on Aug. 14, the two semifinals on Aug. 15, and the championship will air on ESPNU. The first nine games of the tournament will be streamed on ESPN3. All games will be played at Shelby High School’s Keeter Stadium, the official home of the ALWS since 2011.
The American Legion began its baseball program in 1925 and has held an ALWS every year but one since 1926, making the 2016 tournament the 90th ALWS.
“Having the expanded live television coverage in this milestone year is especially exciting,” said Eddie Holbrook, chairman of the local ALWS Executive Committee. “This is a great way to extend awareness of this superb youth baseball program.”
In 2014, the championship was televised live on national television via ESPNU, while the other games were streamed on ESPN3.
The ESPNU coverage was expanded the following year to include the semifinals. This year, funding from USAA and The American Legion made it possible to add the three Sunday games to the ESPNU schedule.
“Having Sunday, Military Appreciation Day, televised on ESPNU, has been one of our goals to achieve this year,” Holbrook said. “It is a wonderful opportunity to show fans that this is more than just a baseball tournament.”
Military Appreciation Day has become one of the most popular days during the series due to the special events honoring those who have served and are serving. On this day, veterans and active service members get into the games for free.
Along with free entry, it has become a tradition that veterans of all branches are invited on to the field to be recognized before the second game of the day. USAA is the principal sponsor of Military Appreciation Day.
Stuart Parker, CEO of USAA, as well as James A. “Jim” Taylor, a Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor, will be attending the games.
“The support from Shelby and Cleveland County governments and the populace overall has been the stimulus for the growth of the ALWS since 2011,” Holbrook said. “Ticket sales have increased every year and television coverage accelerates our efforts to make Shelby-Cleveland County the place to be in August.”
Tickets for the ALWS are available for purchase at the American Legion World Series office, 117A West Warren Street, Shelby, N.C., and online at www.americanlegionworldseries.com. For more information, contact the office at 704-466-3103 or email info@alws.us.