Superior Legion Baseball Hosting Regional Tournament

Double-elimination tournament begins Tuesday

SUPERIOR, Wis.- With American Legion baseball teams now heading into the postseason, the Superior Post 435 Reds are aiming to reach their first state tournament in three years.

The Reds (14-13) are hosting a three-team, double-elimination tournament that runs from Tuesday into Wednesday.

“We started off in the beginning of the year talking about that ‘We not me’ type mentality, and I think this group of kids in particular have really taken to that,” says Josh Edwards, the head coach for the Reds.

“I think it’s been going great,” said Jayce Rue, a shortstop for the Reds. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but as a team, we’ve gotten through a bunch of it.”

“Everybody’s super personable,” commented Austin Lahti, a utility player that attends Northwestern High School. “We all like to talk to each other, so it’s always a good time.”

Aside from giving kids a chance to play the sport they love during summer break, Coach Edwards believes Legion baseball offers more for its players than travel or club teams do.

“What’s cool (about Legion baseball) is we get to merge some of these schools together, kids that may not have been friends before are now buddies,” says Edwards. Aside from players from Superior High School, the Reds have three kids from Northwestern and one player from Ashland.

“I didn’t want to go travel all over the country,” explained Lahti. “I wanted to stay local, so I like playing baseball and needed good competition to play.”

“(Legion baseball)’s another opportunity to play baseball,” says Rue. “I get to meet new kids and spend time with some teammates.”

Superior will begin tournament play at noon on Tuesday against Chippewa Falls before taking on Eau Claire at 3 p.m. at NBC Spartan Sports Complex in Superior.