CLEARFIELD — Seven teams from five leagues will join the host Clearfield Post 6 Chiefs in the first Pennsylvania American Legion Division I Region 7 Tournament that gets under way with four games Saturday.
A Division II tourney for teams from smaller communities has been added to the postseason this year, with the Curwensville Post Bucks representing the Jefferson County League at Homer City this weekend.
Most of the action for the Division I tourney that runs five days will be at the Lawrence Township Recreation Park diamond. Single games are booked for the Bison Sports Complex Field at the Clearfield Area High School Saturday and Sunday.
The first-round games Saturday will pit Clearfield (9-7) against Blairsville (10-6) of the Indiana County League at 11 a.m., Westmoreland County League runner-up Hempfield East (18-4) against Cambria County League champion Claysburg (24-1) at 2 p.m. and Westmoreland County League champion Bushy Run (20-3) against Cambria County League runner-up Bedford (21-4) at 5 p.m. at the LTRP and Central Penn League champion Beech Creek (15-2) against Jefferson County League champion Brookville (12-3) at 2 p.m. at the BSC.
Four more games are set for Sunday with Clearfield playing Beech Creek or Brookville either at 11 a.m. at the LTRP in a winner’s bracket semifinal or 5 p.m. at the LTRP in an elimination bracket opener.
Six teams will return to the LTRP Monday for the winner’s bracket final and the elimination bracket semifinals.
Two games are scheduled for Tuesday and one or, if necessary, two for Wednesday.
While games are seven innings for the regular season, they are stretched to nine innings at the region level and will be governed by American League rules except for a pitch count that is being initiated this year.
That means no re-entry, no courtesy runners and no extra hitters which are utilized during the regular season and league playoffs. A designated hitter is allowed only for pitchers.
The pitch count is similar to the high school rule with the following restrictions:
Pitchers can pitch the following day if he throws up to 30 pitches and rest one day for 31 to 45, two days for 46-60, three days for 61 to 75 and four days for 76 and over with a maximum of 120.
Pitchers cannot go to the mound three consecutive days.
The Clearfield Baseball Association will operate a concession stand and Region 7 programs and t-shirts will be available at the Lawrence Township Rec Park.
A $5 admission fee that includes parking will be charged only for games at the LTRP.
Saturday, July 15
(LTRP) – Lawrence Township Recreation Park; (BSC) – Bison Sports Complex)
First Round
Game 1 – Clearfield vs. Blairsville, 11 a.m. (LTRP)
Game 2 – Beech Creek vs. Brookville, 2 p.m. (BSC)
Game 3 – Hempfield East vs. Claysburg, 2 p.m. (LTRP)
Game 4 – Bushy Run vs. Bedford, 5 p.m. (LTRP)
Sunday, July 16
Elimination Bracket First Round
Game 5 – Game 2 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser, 2 p.m. (BSC)
Game 6 – Game 1 Loser vs. Game 3 Loser, 5 p.m. (LTRP)
Winner’s Bracket Semifinals
Game 7 – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner, 11 a.m. (LTRP)
Game 8 – Game 2 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner, 2 p.m. (LTRP)
Monday, July 17
Elimination Bracket Semifinals
Game 9 – Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Loser, 2 p.m. (LTRP)
Game 10 – Game 5 Winner vs. Game 8 Loser, 5 p.m. (LTRP)
Winner’s Bracket Final
Game 11 – Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner, 11 a.m. (LTRP)
Tuesday, July 18
Elimination Bracket Final
Game 12 – Game 9 Winner vs. Game 11 Loser, 11 a.m. (LTRP)
Championship Semifinal
Game 13 – Game 10 Winner vs. Game 11 Winner, 2 p.m. (LTRP)
Wednesday, July 19
Championship
Game 14 – Game 12 Winner vs. Game 13 Winner, 11 a.m. (LTRP)
Game 15 (If Game 11 Winner loses in Game 13) – Game 11 Loser vs. Game 14 Winner, 2 p.m. (LTRP)
