American Legion pulls state baseball tournament from Abbeville
The week did not start too well for Abbeville Parks Director Tommy Picard. He received a phone call letting him know Abbeville is no longer putting on the American Legion State Baseball Tournament.
American Legion State Director Ed Wilson informed Picard that he decided not to bring the American Legion State Tournament to Abbeville.
It would have been played on Sellers Field and Theriot Field at A.A. Comeaux Park.
Wilson explained why the state tournament was pulled from Abbeville.
“I understand why they are upset,” said Wilson. “But it has nothing to do with Abbeville. Abbeville has two great facilities. When we began looking for hotels in Lafayette and the New Iberia area, we discovered many hotels were booked. They have big tournaments in Youngsville and Broussard at the same time. It would have been tough to get a room.”
Wilson also explained that the
other reason was the cost of umpires that the Lafayette Umpire Association was going to charge the American Legion.
“It was more than our budget,” said Wilson.
On June 17, Wilson sent Picard and other American Legion team coaches an E-mail letting them know the state tournament would be in Abbeville. The tournament will be held July 15-19.
Picard did not waste any time. He took the bull by the horns, and began planning for the tournament. He had the breakfast lined up with sponsors and secured hotel rooms in Abbeville.
On Wednesday, Picard began making phone calls letting the sponsors know the tournament was canceled.
“There is nothing we could do,” said Picard.”It is out of my control.”
Only 11 American Legion teams are playing throughout the state, and all 11 are invited to play in the state tournament.
There are three in Lafayette, one in Crowley, and one in Abbeville.
The Gulf Coast 29ers out of Abbeville hoped to have the luxury of hosting the state tournament.
Now, they must decide if they want to travel to Gonzales to compete in the four-day tournament.
On Wednesday, 29er head coach Trey DeRouen and the team were expected to decide.