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Midsummer Legion Classic expands to four days, and 12 teams; and tournament will include Veterans tribute and other special events
Northeastern Minnesota’s largest American Legion baseball tournament has a new sponsor, and it will be bigger and longer than ever.
The Ely Echo Midsummer Classic is the new name for the baseball tournament held here each July, with this year’s event slated for July 11-14 at historic Veterans Memorial Field.
The new name comes with some new wrinkles in 2024, including a Classic record 12 teams taking part, and the tournament encompassing four days instead of the traditional three.
“There has been so much interest in the event, and so much interest in teams wanting to play at our ballpark, that we’ve decided to spread things out over four days instead of three,” said Tom Coombe, tournament organizer and Ely Legion Head Coach.
That means the event will start with four teams in town and a doubleheader on Thursday, July 11, with the action heating up with five games in town the following day, six more on Saturday, July 13 and four on Sunday, July 14.
Soudan’s Legion Field will play host to seven more games over the course of July 12-14.
In addition to the games, the Ely Echo Midsummer Classic will also include additional festivities and special events, including the Ely Baseball Association’s annual Veterans Night celebration.
Veterans Night is set for Thursday, July 11, with all veterans receiving free admission as well as a free meal, courtesy of the Ely American Legion Auxiliary.
At approximately 7 p.m., the veterans will also be invited on to the field for a ceremony that will include the presentation of colors by the Ely Honor Guard and the national anthem.
Veterans Night will open the tournament but the Ely Echo Midsummer Classic will include more special features including:
• Girls Softball Night - Ely youth girls softball players will be admitted free and invited on to the field to be introduced prior to the Ely Legion team’s 7 p.m. game on Friday, July 12;
• Dinner at the Ballpark - Host Ely will play a dinner- time special 5:30 p.m. game on Saturday, July 13, and the Ely Baseball Association invites the entire community to take in “dinner and a ballgame,” while sampling concession stand offerings ranging from burgers and hot dogs, to the ballpark special Zup’s specialty bratwurst, as well as pulled pork sandwiches and taco bowls;
• Sunday Classic - Anyone bringing in a bulletin from their Sunday morning or weekend church service will be admitted free and receive a coupon for discounted meal at the concession stand on Sunday, July 14.
In addition, all Ely Little League players will be admitted free of charge throughout the weekend and the Ely Echo will present several special on location editions of “The Pulse of Ely,” the Echo’s newly-launched podcast.
The Ely Echo Midsummer Classic will bring an assortment of Legion baseball teams from across the region to town.
In addition to the host Ely team, which is off to a 7-1 start this summer, the tournament field includes Wisconsin powerhouse Viroqua as well as Thunder Bay (Ontario) along with Minnesota teams including Hibbing, Roseau, Proctor, Aitkin, Crookston, Moose Lake-Barnum, International Falls, Warroad and Tri City Maroon.
“We’re excited to be part of Ely baseball’s rich tradition by sponsoring and bringing new enthusiasm to the Midsummer Classic,” said Echo publisher Nick Wognum. “This is a major event for Ely and its economy and we’re thrilled to have a hand in its success.”
