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  • Tuesday, July 26, 2016

    Commander Throws First Pitch to Launch Tournament

    Saluting the colors.

    Legion leaders salute the colors (Vice Chair Bill Crane, Cmdr. John Simpson, Chair Bruce Mayfield).

    UTICA – American Legion Department of New York Commander John Sampson threw out the first pitch, officially launching the New York State American Legion Baseball Championship Tournament Tuesday (July 26). The ball zipped across home plate, prompting quips that the commander could still play ball pretty well. (Photo Gallery.)

    Commander throws first pitch

    Commander John Simpson throws out the first pitch.

    The tournament is taking place at Murnane Field’s Donovan Stadium in Utica.

    Brooks Shepard Post of Fairport squared off against Maine-Endwell Post of Endicott in the opening game, which was to be followed by three more opening-day games: Rockland County OTB Pirates Post 130 of Stony Point vs. McKeever Post 64 of Buffalo; Clinton County Mariners of Plattsburgh vs. Adrean Post 625 of Utica; Amsterdam Post 791 vs. Whitestown Post 1113.

    Presenting the colors.

    The Utica Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America presented the colors during the opening ceremonies. Rendering salutes are, from left, state Legion Baseball Chairman Bruce Mayfield, Commander John Simpson and Baseball Vice Chairman Bill Crane.

     

    Vietnam vets present colors.

    Vietnam veterans present the colors.

     

    Tournament support team.

    These women are part of the tournament support team, selling t-shirts to raise money for Legion baseball. From left: Lisa Gubbins, Laura Bradley, Joanne Gerace (owner of Tiny’s Grill, a tournament sponsor), and Sandy Gubbins.