The 2008 American Legion Sam Ellis Showcase Classic will be held at Soden’s Grove in Emporia on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Emporia AAAs will play their first two games in pool play at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m on Friday.
There will be a recognition of Sam Ellis, his family and the players of the state championship team before the 7:30 game.
After two pool-play games, bracket play begins and is a single-elimination format. Each team is guaranteed four games. The championship game is scheduled to begin at 7 Sunday evening.
Proceeds from the tournament will go toward scholarships for area players playing Amerian Legion baseball. In addition, letters were sent to all the college programs in the state of Kansas inviting them to attend.
mlangley5 (anonymous) says...
I have been out of the loop for a while....why is it named after Sam...
June 3, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mashford (inactive user) says...
It is my understanding that Sam Ellis passed away a few years ago after he was in an ATV accident in Florida.
Michael Ashford
Sports editor
June 3, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlangley5 (anonymous) says...
Please forgive me, as my first post may not have sounded that sensitive. I truly liked Sam and his family. I did not mean any disrespect.
June 4, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...
You are forgiven !
June 4, 2008 at 1:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kacypost (anonymous) says...
No offense taken. ;) This is Sam's sister, Kacy. Michael is correct about Sam's accident. He passed on 9/16/06. We are planing to make this an annual tournament where the best teams in the state can showcase their talent to college scouts. Sam excelled in and greatly benefited from American Legion baseball. Our family is putting on the tournament along with 40+ volunteers that knew and loved Sam. Jim Markowitz is at the lead of the effort and we couldn't have done it without him. Our family's heart is to honor Sam's memory and love for the game.
My father wrote, "Kids need the program so they can experience the joy of playing ball and cut down their time to get into other things that aren’t as healthy...and not be deterred by the cost involved." A former AA American Legion player summed it up best when he wrote to me and said, "Helping kids pay their fee's is such a great thing. You know my parents were dirt poor and when I played Legion ball. It was not easy coming up with that money and thank goodness for the raffle and me selling my tail off or I never would of had the privledge of putting on that American Legion Jersey."
Thanks to the Gazette for the exposure and the community for it's support and interest.
Kacy (Ellis) Postlethwait
June 4, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KROQUE1 (anonymous) says...
I'm so glad that the Ellis' have a group of people surrounding them and helping them make this tournament possible. I wish I could be there as everyone gathers to honor Sam and the family. So many lives are going to be changed because of this annual event. My check is in the mail. PLAY BALL!!!
June 5, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )