The Park Board unanimously agreed Wednesday to try to snag the 2010 American Legion World Series for historic Muzzy Field.
“It would showcase Muzzy,” said Lori DeFillippi, a park panel member.
“It would also showcase the city,” added Mayor Art Ward.
Communities interested in hosting the five-day tournament are required to submit an extensive bid package by March 1 and to put up $60,000.
Ward said the money would be raised by the American Legion post on Hooker Court, which has a long history of involvement with American Legion Baseball.
He said there is “not a long time” to get everything together, but it’s worth trying.
The 2007 tournament was held in Bartlesville, Ok. while next year’s tournament is slated for Shelby, N.C.
Park Director Ed Swicklas said the city hosted the Northeast regional tournament for the American Legion about 12 years ago. It was successful, officials said.
The American Legion Baseball website says the 2010 tournament is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 13 to Aug. 17, a time that Swicklas said would not pose problems for use of the field.
tourn
In its document for cities interested in hosting the tournament, the American Legion says it is looking for “experienced tournament committees with strong community support, as well as excellent ballparks.”
The American Legion World Series brings eight teams together from around the country to compete for the national title.
American Legion Baseball has been around since 1925 and claims that millions of young men have played on its teams over the years.
The last time the tournament was held in New England was in 1999, when Middletown hosted the World Series.
According to the American Legion Baseball website, Bristol’s American Legion teams have won two regional championships, in 1984 and 1997, and 13 Connecticut championships, most recently in 2006.
American Legion Baseball's website
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
8 comments:
is the $60,000 refundable if the city doesn't get picked?
I assume the money would not be kept if the city wasn't chosen.
City does not pay the $60,000 the legion does.
The legion can afford it now that Ward is Mayor. But can Bristol afford to host the Series? The preparation and maintence will be huge before the event, and I don't see much economic activity in Bristol as a result.
The only ones who will benefit from this are politicians who can claim they brought the series, and the Parks Dept. for getting a bigger budget/more employees to do all the prep work.
Great to see the city has its priorities straight.
" The Legion can afford it now that Ward is Mayor?" Do you hear yourself?That doesn't even make SENSE!
Gamache, you aren't very perceptive. The point is that the Legion seems to have waited until Ward got into office in order to bring this up, make it seem like Ward is somehow involved. One week into Mayor Ward's administration and presto. Apparently the Legion has more time on it's hands now that Jay and friends don't have to cause problems for Ward's electoral opponents anymore. Otherwise the timing of this is a huge coincidence.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE LEGION HAS TRIED TO GET THE WORLD SERIES> IT HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH WHO THE MAYOR IS >
to 10:40,
Apparently who the mayor is affected the timing of the announcement.
Isn't Mullins Wards treasurer?
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