By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com

EASLEY — The City of Easley is gearing up for the Big League World Series, which will be returning to the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex for the 15th year July 28 through Aug. 4.

BLWS director Jon Humphrey addressed Easley mayor Larry Bagwell and city council members on Monday night.

“We’ve had some great tournaments here,” Humphrey said. “It’s been a great experience.

“I want to personally invite all the council to come out to the field July 28, and we’re going to recognize council and have the mayor and (Congressman) Jeff Duncan throw out some baseballs.”

Humphrey said the tournament will not be kicked off with a concert this year as in years past.

“Since I became the tournament director in 2007, we’ve always tried to have a fan fest before the event, trying to kick off the event,” Humphrey said. “We’ve had concerts before — some very large concerts — but this year we’ve worked out an agreement with Major League Baseball to send out some of their people from the scouting bureau, and the scouting bureau will be holding Major League Baseball tryouts for some of the Big League Baseball World Series participants. And that tryout is open to the public.”

“We’re really excited to be able to do that,” Humphrey said.
Humphrey said the tournament’s opening day is also going to “City of Easley day.”

“So everybody from the city of Easley is invited to come for free that day,” he said.

Humphrey said all the uniform colors are changing tihs year as well. The host team uniform this year will be white and green.
“We have a new supporter and souvenir hat,” Humphrey said. “It’s green, and it has the logo.”

Humphrey then handed out stickers to those who gathered for the city council meeting.

Councilman Chris Mann reported that in previous years he had been the host for the European team, and the team from the Netherlands has won the European championship.

While Mann will not be hosting the team again, “they’re looking forward to coming back,” he said.

“Contrary to popular opinion, the Dutch do not play baseball in wooden shoes,” he said with a laugh.