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Local organizers are working hard to finalize plans for the Division II Minnesota American Legion Baseball State Tournament.
The tournament will be played at Redbird Field in Luverne July 29-31.
According to Luverne Baseball Association (LBA) president and tournament chairperson Don Dinger, the event will bring eight teams and hundreds of fans to Luverne.
“This is a great chance to show people from all around the state the good things going on in Luverne and to get them into local businesses,” Dinger said.
As the host community, Luverne’s Senior American Legion baseball team will automatically qualify for the tournament.
Luverne last hosted the event in 2014, the year that Rock River flooding caused major damage to Redbird Field in early June.
With the help of city of Luverne staff and many LBA and other volunteers, the field was repaired in time for the late July tournament that year.
“It was amazing how that tournament was still able to happen,” said Dinger, who was also a lead organizer of the event eight years ago.
“The people were impressed with that tournament and how we were able to still host it, so we knew we wanted to do it again.”
Luverne was originally scheduled to host the tournament in 2021, but when the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 tournament, the host locations were moved back one year.
According to Dinger, there are eight different subcommittees working on plans for the four-day event.
"In all, it takes about 60-75 volunteers to make this tournament a success," he said.
Primary volunteer duties include field workers, concessions, beer garden and ticket takers.
“Fundraising is the most important thing when it comes to preparing for the tournament,"” Dinger said. “We have to raise about $25,000 to break even.”
Dinger said the Luverne community has been very supportive already and the fundraising continues.
“We appreciate the businesses that purchase ads in the tournament booklet and make other donations,” he said. “We also receive great support from American Legion posts.”
The tournament will include an opening banquet at Big Top events on Thursday, July 28. The banquet is open to the public.
The featured speaker at the banquet is Brian Raabe, New Ulm native, former Major League Baseball player and current head baseball coach at Bethel University in the Twin Cities.
“That will be a great event,” Dinger said. “He’ll have a great message for all the players and parents and others who attend.”
Another highlight of the tournament will be the opening ceremonies on Friday night.
Dinger said all of the teams are lined up on the field in uniform and various military officials are on the field for the ceremony. All active and past military members will be admitted for free.
“We really encourage people to attend that opening ceremony,” Dinger said. “It’s really something to see, and they do a great job honoring all the military.”
Dinger said extra bleachers will be brought in for the tournament and there will be two concession stands serving customers.
Recent improvements to Redbird Field will also enhance the state tournament experience.
Dinger said the LBA and the city of Luverne have partnered to expand the concession stand building at Redbird Field, to add new concrete, and to improve the field of play, among other projects.
“The city of Luverne is great to work with. They own the ballpark and make sure that it’s one of the best around.”
“We’re good at running tournaments, but without the great facility these tournaments wouldn’t come to Luverne,” Dinger said.
Support for hosting the tournament also comes from the Luverne Area Chamber.
“The Chamber promotes the tournament and we make sure to push all the events and businesses in Luverne,” Dinger said.
Tournament organizers point out that the local hotels will be full and restaurants and other local businesses and attractions will all benefit from the many visitors coming to town.
“It’s a real honor for our town to host this tournament. We’re excited for people from all around Minnesota to be welcomed to Luverne,” Dinger said.