Monday night Easley City Council voted 7-0 to give an extra $4,000 in state accommodation tax funds to the BLWS, which begins July 29 at the J.B. “Red” Owens Recreation Complex.
The money had once been targeted for the Easley Soccer Club. Earlier this year club officials came before council asking for funds to help with a proposed tournament. Council approved the funds, but later plans for the tournament fell through. The Easley Soccer Club returned the funds to the city.
“We appreciate the integrity of the Easley Soccer Club for returning these funds,” Easley Mayor Larry Bagwell said.
Bagwell said that the state accommodation tax funds could only be used for projects to encourage tourism in the city. Using the funds to help support a tournament that would bring hundreds into the city would be legal, whereas using the money for the soccer club’s regular budget would not.
Earlier in the meeting, BLWS tournament director Jon Humphrey addressed council, thanking them for the city’s support of the event and inviting all present to come enjoy the games.
Humphrey said there will be one last chance for anyone who wants to be a volunteer to join the tournament this Sunday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Hampton Library.
“We still have plenty of spots for you if you want to help out,” Humphrey said.
An additional act has been added to the tournament’s family fun night Tuesday, July 28 at the complex. Justin Beaver will perform, sponsored by Greenville radio station B97. Beaver tours with popular star Usher.
Opening ceremonies will be held for the tournament at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug 1.
All teams will be fed by the city of Easley on Sunday, Aug. 1.
In other Big League World Series news, Germany earned the right to represent Europe-Meditation-Eastern Africa in the BLWS by winning a tournament in Utena, Lithuania.
The three-team tournament feature Lithuania, Germany and the Netherlands, with each team playing each other twice. Germany and the Netherlands both swept Lithuania in their two-game series, then split in games against each other. Germany won the first matchup between the teams 9-8. Lithuania won the rematch 19-17.
In the championship game, Germany defeated Lithuana 24-7 to advance to the Big League World Series.
Tournaments to decide the U.S. Southwest and the U.S. Southeast are scheduled to begin today (Friday, July 17, 2009).
The U.S. Southwest team features Texas East, Texas West, New Mexico and the Louisiana state champions (Amite) joining the host team of Rushton, La., for a five-team, double elimination tournament. The championship game is set for Tuesday.
South Carolina District IV will join Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia, Virginia and the Florida state champion to compete against the host team from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. for the U.S. Southeast title. The teams are divided into two pools, with the championship game set for Tuesday.
The other three domestic tournaments begin Monday.
In Bremerton, Wash., the host team will join Southern California, Northern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Montana and the Washington state champions for a pool-play tournament. The championship game is set for next Friday.
Brackets have not been announced yet for the U.S. Central Tournament in Wyoming, Mich., and the U.S. East Tournament in Dover, Del., both set to begin July 19.
The final regional for the BLWS will be the Canadian Tournament, set to begin July 20 in Windsor, Ontario. Champions from Ontario, Atlantic, Brittish Columbia, Quebec and the Prairies will join the host team for a pool-play tournament. The championship game is set for Sunday, July 26.
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