July 30--Approximately 1,500 youth baseball players, coaches, parents and fans were in town Thursday for opening ceremonies for the 11- and 13-year-old Ohio Valley Regional tournaments at Fairview Park.

The 13-year-old tournament will be the first Babe Ruth League Ohio Valley tourney Logan has hosted. Logan has hosted two previous Cal Ripken League Ohio Valleys -- the 12-year-old tournaments in 2005 and 2007.

Rick Frank, assistant Ohio Valley commissioner, said Logansport is accomplishing an impressive feat in hosting not one but two Ohio Valleys in the same year.

"This is the only one that we're doing two age groups at, and there are very few communities that can handle one," he said. "So that's certainly a credit to Logansport, Indiana. This is their 51st year of Babe Ruth Baseball on this field. So they are certainly one of the oldest and one of the proudest programs in Babe Ruth Baseball. And we are certainly proud to have them as part of our group."

Mayor Mike Fincher also addressed the crowd and spoke of Logansport's rich history in baseball, which includes the first commissioner of baseball, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, and current Major League pitcher Aaron Heilman. He also noted Logansport High School has won four state championships.

"We're very proud of our heritage in baseball," Fincher said. "Logansport and Cass County has a great baseball history, and we are truly honored to have you all here.

"I'd like to thank all the people that have put this together. It just doesn't happen overnight. It takes literally hundreds of people to put this kind of a tournament together, and they've worked tirelessly to do that to make your stay here in Logansport and Cass County a good, memorable occasion."

The night began with an ice-breaker picnic for all in attendance. The main course included pork products donated by Tyson Foods of Logansport.

"They've always been real good to us," said Steve Clary, host president for the 11-year-olds. "We had all food donated, parents making food, buying food and bringing it over. We had parents volunteer in serving. It was a great environment, perfect day, great weather. It went real well. Everybody seemed to have a smile on their face.

"I had my doubts how this would go with this many people, both fields, both leagues. It was a challenge and so far I think we've passed that challenge. And the fun begins 1/8today3/8."

Logansport baseball coaching legends Jim Turner and Butch Jones threw out the ceremonial first pitches for each age group.

Eleven-year-old teams competing include Bay Port of Green Bay, Wisc.; Neenah, Wisc.; South Lexington, Ky.; Henderson County, Ky.; Jasper County, Ill.; Vincennes; Batesville; Bloomington; Clay County; Crown Point; South Bend East Side; and Logansport.

The 11-year-old tournament includes pool play with three pools consisting of four teams each before single-elimination play begins. The Logan 11s open play at 6:30 p.m. tonight against South Lexington at Crain Field. Logan also plays Saturday at 2:30 and 7 p.m. in pool play.

Thirteen-year-old teams competing include Harrison County, W. Va.; Appleton, Wisc.; South Lexington, Ky.; Bay City, Mich.; Mount Vernon, Ohio; Henderson County, Ky.; Effingham, Ill.; Downers Grove, Ill.; Jasper; Riley of Terre Haute; South Bend East Side; and Logansport.

The 13-year-old tournament is a straight double-elimination tournament. The Logan 13s face Downers Grove at 7 p.m. tonight at Steinman Field. If Logan wins, it plays at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. If it loses, it plays at 10 a.m. Sunday.

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