Eight teams vying for championship will have the opportunity to play live on national television.
Each of the eight American Legion World Series (ALWS) teams will now have an opportunity to play in front of a national television audience as coverage of the event has expanded on ESPNU.
For the first time, the three games taking place on Saturday, Aug. 12, will be televised on ESPNU. ALWS games scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 10, and Friday, Aug. 11, will continue to be streamed on ESPN3.com. The pool play games on Saturday and Sunday, the two semifinal games on Monday, Aug. 14, and the championship game on Tuesday, Aug. 15, will be televised on ESPNU.
This marks the fourth straight year in which event coverage in Shelby, N.C., has expanded on the network since the first televised game in 2014.
The ALWS planning committee has moved USAA Military Appreciation Day to Saturday and created Law Enforcement Day on Sunday.
These ESPNU additions come on the heels of strong viewership numbers and the continued growth in interest regarding American Legion Baseball and its premier event.
The 2016 edition of the World Series – the 90th in program history – attracted 120,000 to Cleveland County's Keeter Stadium for baseball action, marking the sixth straight year in which an all-time attendance record was set.
"Every year the city of Shelby outdoes itself to create the best environment in amateur baseball," said Gary Stone, American Legion Baseball Committee chairman. "This is a great opportunity to make sure that all eight teams get a chance to shine on a big stage."
Instrumental to the continued expansion is the support of Cleveland County ALWS Baseball, Inc., USAA and American Legion leadership.
"It is the ultimate success for our program to now have a four-day representation on ESPNU," said Jake Comer, American Legion past national commander and leading Legion Baseball advocate. "It is a great way to showcase all of the great things the Legion does for veterans and feature the great kids and future leaders that are playing American Legion Baseball."
For more information on the American Legion World Series, visit www.americanlegionworldseries.com.
- Baseball