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Boys of the summer
Published 1:50pm Friday, June 8, 2012For the first time in recent memory, Alexander City will play host to an advanced travel baseball team tournament this weekend.
The Alex City Invitational Baseball Tournament, sponsored by the Alex City Sports Foundation (ACSF), begins today at both Doc Jordan Field and Central Alabama Community College and features nine teams from across the state of Alabama.
“Years ago we were able to get top-notch talent into Alex City for tournaments,” said tournament director and ACSF board member Eugene Reynolds, who coached competitive travel baseball until 1992 in Alex City.
“This tournament will feature some elite teams that have former professional talent on their coaching squads.”
The filed consists of both National and American pools with the headliner for the National pool being the Mobile Rawdogs, winners of four national championships.
The Rawdogs will be joined in the National pool by Auburn, Birmingham Stars, Covington 18S, and CAB National.
On the American side, the Mobile Bombers are expected to lead the way, while CAB American, Wetumpka, and Covington 16S round out the pool.
“We want the tournament to be well run, fun and competitive and I think we have the field to do that,” said Reynolds, who will have the help of 10 ACSF volunteers at both sites throughout the weekend.
The Alex City Invitational is one of the numerous steps that continue to be taken through the Alex City Sports Foundation in promoting local sports and sporting events with Alexander City.
“It is estimated that a tournament like this will bring anywhere from $20,000-$30,000 dollars for the local economy,” Reynolds said.
“We’re looking forward to bringing a bunch of people into Alexander City for a weekend and watching some good baseball, while also growing this tournament every year from here on out.”
The first game is slated for 4 p.m. today between Auburn and CAB National at Doc Jordan Field in the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, while the championship game is set to be played Sunday at 1 p.m.
