Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - Cherryville Post 100 will host the American Legion Baseball Southeast and Mid-South regional tournaments as part of a super-regional experiment, along with Shrewsbury, MA, Post 397, which will host the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regionals as part of its super-regional. The American Legion Organization has also reduced the number of teams participating from 64 to 56. Wild card teams (state runners-up) will no longer be part of the tournament unless a state champion withdraws. The 56 teams are made up of 49 state champions, 6 host teams, and the champion from Puerto Rico. Georgia is the only state that does not participate in the national tournaments. The American Legion has strictly enforced eligibility rules that the Georgia American Legion Baseball Organization does not follow, making them ineligible for national tournaments.
The tournaments will run simultaneously, with the Southeast tournament being played in Cherryville at John L. “Buck” Fraley Field at Cherryville Memorial Stadium, and Gastonia Post 23 has allowed the use of Sims Legion Park for the Mid-south tournament. Eight teams will play in Cherryville, with the tournament running from August 5 to August 9. With only six teams competing in Gastonia, that tournament will run from August 6 to August 9. This is the final stop on the road to Shelby and the ALWS. Even with two super regionals, there will still be eight regional champions represented in the American Legion World Series to be played in Shelby, NC, August 13-18, 2026.
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Cherryville, NC Post 100 Host Team Southeast Regional
Harrison, OH Post 199 Southeast Regional
Dorado, PR Post 45 southeast regional
Chesapeake, VA Post 280 southeast regional
Garner Post 232 After winning the NC American Legion Senior State Tournament - Garner Post 242 vs Union County Post 535 - Sims Legion Park - Gastonia, NC - July 29, 2026
Jacksonville, FL Post 316 Southeast Regional
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Things kick off in Cherryville at 9:30 am on Wednesday, August 5, with Harrison, Ohio Post 199 v/s Dorado, Puerto Rico Post 45. Ohio has won 5 state championships: 1996, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2026. Game 2 at 12:30 pm will feature defending ALWS Champions from Chesapeake, VA, Post 280 v/s Florence, SC, Post 1. The Seals of Post 280 are looking to repeat as champions; they have won 7 state titles and have become a regular participant in the ALWS over the last several seasons. They finished the Virginia state tournament dominantly. Over the final 12 innings, they outscored their opponents 32-4. Florence Post 1 is no stranger to the postseason either. They have 9 state titles: 1942, 1943, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2023, and 2026. Three regional titles in 1942, 2012, and 2023. They appeared in the ALWS in 2012 and 2023. Game 3 pits Wheeling, WV, Post 1 against Garner, NC, Post 232 Nationals at 4:30 pm. Wheeling Post 1 is the oldest American Legion post in the U.S., founded in 1919. They boast of 20 state championships. 1938, 1949, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Garner ran through the NC state tournament to capture their 5th overall state title. They won in 1999, 2004, 2021, 2023, and 2026. The night’s finale will showcase the Jacksonville, FL Post 316 Rattlers taking on the host team, Cherryville, NC Post 100, at 7:30 pm in game 4. Jacksonville is making their 3rd straight regional appearance. Known as the Rattlers, their team nickname is the Snakes. Cherryville Post 100 has won 7 state titles and has made 3 ALWS appearances: 1953, 1998, and 2003. The latter two, Cherryville, finished as national runner-up.
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The Mid-South games start one day later because there are only 6 teams—game 1 features Tupelo, MS Post 49 v/s Columbia, TN Post 19 at 9:30 am. Tupelo has been the state champion 2 out of the past 3 years. Columbia was the Mid-South regional runner-up a year ago, falling to Bossier, LA, in the finals. They have captured 3 regional titles and were the 2007 ALWS Champions. Game 2 is slated as a “delayed header”; this means it will begin at the conclusion of game 1, with probably a 30-minute break between games. This matchup will be Bossier City, LA Post 202 v/s Bryant, AR Post 298 Black Sox. Bossier City is the defending Mid-South champions and made a deep run in the 2025 ALWS, reaching the semifinals. The Bryant Black Sox have won 8 state championships, six of which came over 8 years. The day concludes with game 3 at 4:30 pm with Daphne, AL Post 199 v/s Ada, OK Post 72. Daphne went 4-0 in the Alabama state tournament. Bartlesville, OK, won the Oklahoma state tournament; unfortunately, they had to withdraw on July 31 due to a shortage of eligible players to complete the tournament. The state runner-up, Ada, OK, Post 72, will fill their spot.
The games in Cherryville will accept cash or a card for entrance. Sims Park is cash only at the gate. Tournament passes can be purchased, or you can pay by the day. Admission is good for games at both sites. Once you enter, if you have a pass, it will be punched, and you will receive a wristband allowing you to re-enter the stadium for that day. If you pay without a pass, you will also receive a wristband. You are allowed to attend games at each site with a wristband showing paid admission at one of the host sites; without your wristband, you will need to pay the daily admission price to enter. You only need to pay once per day or use a tournament pass. The wristband allows you to come and go as many times as you wish at either location for that day. A new wristband will be issued each day after admission is paid. Daily admission is $10, and tournament passes are $30.
Cherryville’s Fraley Field has a no-large-bag and no-backpack policy. Small or clear bags are allowed. No coolers, outside food, or drinks are allowed. There is a concession stand with plenty of cold drinks, water, and food available. Also, no pull-behind wagons allowed, and only trained service dogs, no pets.
It is August in the hot, humid South, so the weather will likely be hot, with high heat indices. There is always the chance of pop-up thunderstorms as well, so plan accordingly. Sunscreen and a poncho are a good idea, and always stay hydrated. Both Fraley Field and Sims Park will have concession stands with cold water and drinks. Sims also has a covered grandstand with overhead fans to help you beat the heat. Fraley Field also has limited covered seating to protect from the sun.
All information, pairings, and schedules were correct at the time of the article, but are subject to change. Each tournament site reserves the right to change game times and pairings if needed. This should be a rare occurrence with both fields being artificial turf, allowing for a quick turnaround after rain. Bring the family and enjoy some quality baseball.
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