10 top-flight teams in Ely Echo Legion Midsummer Classic
Later this month, the top Division II American Legion Baseball teams in Minnesota will be in Ely for the state tournament.
But a regular season event, set for historic Veterans Memorial Field next week, could be just as power-packed with top-flight teams.
In all, 10 teams will be here for the four-day Ely Echo Midsummer Classic. The event starts Thursday and, runs through Sunday, July 13 and promises a full weekend of top-flight baseball at Ely’s historic ballpark.
Viroqua, WI, a perennial powerhouse in Badger State baseball and the tournament champion the last two years, is back to and figures to face a stern challenge from several potential challengers to the thrown.
Twin Cities powerhouse St. Louis Park and Northeast Substate Division I contender Hibbing are two of the many teams that could make a run at this year’s title.
Host Ely (9-2) has championship aspirations and Roseau has traditionally fared well here.
Tournament newcomers including Walker and Mc-Gregor join holdovers Thunder Bay, Warroad and Moose Lake-Barnum to make for a very deep tournament feel.
The tournament started with another name in 2002 and the Ely Echo stepped in last year to take on sponsorship of the event.
Meanwhile, the tournament will include an array of promotions designed to get more people to the ballpark, starting with the Ely Baseball Association’s annual Girls Softball Night on Friday, July 11.
“I know I say this every year, but I think it bears repeating that from top to bottom, you’re not going to find a better American Legion tournament than this one in northern Minnesota,“ said Ely head coach Tom Coombe. “There’s a great mix of talent from across the state. Whoever wins this thing will beat some very, very good teams.”
The historic ballpark also figures to be a hub of activity throughout the four days, starting with a triple-header on Thursday and a special salute to Ely Girls Youth Softball participants on Friday. The third day of the tournament includes a “Dinner at the Ballpark” promotion to coincide with Ely’s 5:30 p.m. game on Saturday, July 12.
Will Holthaus reaches for the ball as Connor Macho slides into home while Bryce Houde watches the play.
SENT - Hayden Engen throws to home plate.
EYE ON THE BALL - Annie Blomberg takes a swing.
LITTLE LEAGUER Hank Meier tosses a ball to second.
STRETCH - Kaylin Puzel is tagged out by Logan Larsen.
LITTLE LEAGUERS - Madoc Kannas tags Aiden Kochendorfer at second base. Photos by Chris Ellerbroek.
OUT! Connor Macho puts a tag on Owen Kurnava.
To close things out, church-goers are encouraged to bring their church bulletins to the ballpark on Sunday, July 13 for free admission and a deal at the concession stand.
On the field, fans will see an array of high-caliber talent.
Located near La Crosse, Viroqua has racked up numerous Wisconsin state tournament appearances and generally plays one of the most ambitious schedules in the region.
Viroqua is under new leadership this year, after the passing of longtime head coach Pete Swanson, who racked up more than 1,000 wins in his career and died just two days after last year’s Midsummer Classic.
Hibbing is one of the top northeastern Minnesota teams in the field, and Ely will be invaded by Legion teams from the northwest, with tournament mainstay Roseau joined by both Warroad and Walker.
Ely will be tested immediately by Warroad and will follow up with contests against Walker, Roseau and Moose Lake-Barnum.
“It will be a great test for us right out of the chute,” said Coombe. “That’s one of the nice things about this tournament is we see some new teams. It can only help us come playoff time.”
Ely is the smallest program in the field, with many of the remaining entries coming from Class AA, AAA or AAAA high school teams.
The action starts at 3 p.m. Thursday (see schedule) and the lineup includes 18 games over four days in Ely. Another three contests are set for Legion Field in Soudan.
While the event calls for all teams to play four predetermined opponents, the final day schedule could be altered to allow for two unbeaten teams to meet in a true championship game.
