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Manchester, N.H., Selected to Host National American Legion Regional Baseball Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Manchester, N.H. will be the site of The American Legion Baseball Northeast Regional Tournament, Aug. 6-10, 2009. The American Legion will be celebrating its 83rd season as the nation's preeminent baseball program for 15- to 19-year-olds.

The National Executive Committee of the 2.7-million member American Legion announced at its annual spring meeting inIndianapolis that Post 2 will host and play in the double elimination tournament. The five-day event will showcase state championship teams fromConnecticut,Maine,Massachusetts,New Hampshire,New Jersey,Rhode Island, andVermont.

American Legion National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette Jr. said, "Manchester Post 2 and Gill Stadium will be an outstanding site for the tournament.New Hampshire has a very active American Legion Baseball program.Manchester also has strong community support and excellent organizing committee. Gill Stadium is one the top ball parks in the country. The players and coach will be excited with the opportunity to play at this stadium. The winning team will move ontoFargo, N.D., and participate in the annual American Legion World Series.

Organizers for the nation's largest veteran's organization expect the tournament to boost theManchester economy with approximately one thousand fans, and 350 motel-room nights required at this tournament.Manchester businesses should gain $500,000 dollars in retail sales.

More than half of today's Major Leaguers got their start in American Legion Baseball. Fifty-two former American Legion Baseball players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame located inCooperstown, NY including Tony Gywnn, Carl Yastrzemski, Wade Boggs, Paul Molitor, Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, Dave Winfield, Sparky Anderson, Carlton Fisk, Bob Feller, Brooks Robinson, Yogi Berra, Jim Palmer, Reggie Jackson, Dave Winfield, Rollie Fingers and Tom Seaver.