American Legion tourney opens in Carol Stream
Twelve baseball teams from across the Midwest are in Carol Stream this weekend for the sixth annual Summer Classic Tournament hosted by American Legion Post 76.
The three-day tournament opened Friday morning at the newly renovated Lee Pfund Field, 570 S. Gary Ave., following ceremonial first pitches by Carol Stream Village President Frank Saverino and his 7-year-old grandson, Dominic.
The tournament features teams of 17- to 19-year-olds sponsored by American Legion posts in Illinois and Michigan, including posts in Carol Stream, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Barrington, Elgin, St. Charles, Plainfield, Galesburg, Rock Island and Moline, along with two from Michigan.
The Post 76 Legion team is made up of recent graduates or soon-to-be seniors at Glenbard North, Wheaton North, St. Francis and Wheaton Academy, according to head coach Jerry Miller.
Games also are being played at Wheaton Academy and Glenbard North. Saturday’s contests begin at 8 a.m., with the last game starting at 7 p.m. All games are open to the public with a $3 admission fee charged at Lee Pfund Field.
The field, which is owned by the Legion but leased by Wheaton College, was rededicated in honor of Pfund, the longtime Wheaton baseball coach, following a renovation project last year that included installation of artificial turf and lights.
The college has been fundraising to complete the full scope of the $3 million renovation project, which will include a 242-seat stadium, press box, locker rooms, concessions, bathrooms and a storage facility.