Teams from across the United States and Canada will compete in the Ozarks at the Premier Baseball Senior Championship July 9-14. Opening ceremonies, including a parade of teams, is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hammons Field.
Thirty teams hailing from Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada will participate. Five local teams are competing in the event, including three Midwest Nationals teams and the Willard Tigers.
Premier Baseball has partnered with the Springfield Sports Commission and Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring more than 800 people to Springfield, including fans, families and 30 teams.
“We are pleased to be back in Springfield for the Senior Championship,” said Don Patty, executive director of Premier Baseball. “Springfield, with its central location, is a wonderful place for our events. The people that work at the fields are extremely helpful and hard working. We are excited to be back in the community for the Senior Championship.”
Teams will play a minimum of six games during the national championship. Ninety-six games will be played in the area and the tournament will conclude with championship bracket play July 14 at Meador Park. The games are open to the public.
Tournament passes are $25 each or a single, daily admission for all venues can be purchased for $6. Discounts are offered for senior citizens and students.
Facilities in the Premier Baseball Senior Championship are: Marshfield High School, Evangel University, Meador Park, Southwest Baptist University, Springfield Catholic High School and Willard High School.
This is the second Premier Baseball Championship Springfield has hosted in 2013 and the fourth overall. The 2013 Premier Baseball Incoming Freshman Championship was in Springfield June 26-July 1 with about 1,000 people attending.
“Past Senior Championship participants are a who’s who listing of Major League and collegiate baseball talent,” said Lance Kettering, executive director of the Springfield Sports Commission. “A small sample of current Major Leaguers that have played in the event include Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Lance Berkman and Josh Beckett. Of course, many future collegiate players are on the rosters of the participating teams too. If one could turn the clock forward you would have the opportunity to knowingly see professional baseball talent before they become nationally known stars.”
Premier Baseball is an alliance of 25 amateur baseball organizations across the United States and Canada. Players typically range from 15-18 years of age.
For more information about Premier Baseball or the tournament, visit www.premierbaseball.net.
To learn more about other tournaments and events brought to Springfield by the Springfield Sports Commission and Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 417-881-5300 or 800-678-8767 or visit www.springfieldmosports.org and www.springfieldmo.org. The Springfield Sports Commission is a nonprofit organization that enhances quality of life and stimulates positive economic growth for our community by promoting and developing the Springfield area as a sports venue. The Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the local economy through growth in tourism.