Baseball and softball semis, finals head to Coca-Cola Park
Those local high school baseball and softball tournaments announced last month now have a fitting home in front of fans for the semifinals and championship games: Coca-Cola Park.
The 14-team Lehigh Valley Softball Sowcase will go first, with the semifinals (2:30 and 4:30 p.m.) and championship game (6:50 p.m.) to be held Thursday, July 16. Service Electric will televise all three games.
The 32-team baseball tournament will conclude with the semifinals on Aug. 9 and the championship game on Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m. Service Electric will televise the final game. Details are still being worked out on the times for the semifinals.
“The IronPigs are honored to support seniors who have been affected greatly during this unprecedented time,” IronPigs president and general manager Kurt Landes said in a statement. “To have the opportunity to end their careers at Coca-Cola Park will be special and we areh`og-wild’ with the opportunity to support this tournament giving the kids one last swing for the fences. I’m equally excited to be hosting senior recognition ceremonies for both the boys and girls providing one final opportunity to showcase local seniors and their high school careers.”
Added Freedom High softball coach Michele Laubach, one of the organizers of the softball showcase: “Our softball community is thrilled to have the opportunity to play at Coca-Cola Park. The amazing people from the IronPigs, Northwest Little League, Lehigh Valley high school softball coaches and the local media have been incredible to work with to make this event come to fruition. It has been a lot of work to make this event happen and I appreciate all the good people I am surrounded by in the Lehigh Valley. It gives me great hope as we move forward and out of this pandemic.”
The tournaments have been in the works for some time following the cancellation of the spring sports season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“When you think of Lehigh Valley baseball, the first thought that comes to my mind is the IronPigs,” said DeSales University assistant director of alumni relations Daniel Villanti, one of the organizers of the baseball tournament. “The goal of our event has been to provide an absolute first-class and safe experience for the high school baseball players, especially the senior class. And there is no better venue than Coca-Cola Park. I am truly grateful to our baseball community for coming together and bringing high school baseball back to the Lehigh Valley this August.”
The high school baseball tournament begins Aug. 3 at various locations.
The 32 teams would be divided into eight pools with four schools apiece. Pool-play games will be held on Aug. 3 and 5 with each team guaranteed three games. The top two teams in each pool will advance to a Sweet 16-style, singleelimination tournament that would feature the round-of-16 and the quarterfinals on Aug. 7. The semifinals and championship game were originally scheduled at DeSales, but will now be played at Coca-Cola Park.
The IronPigs said the baseball and softball events will be facilitated using all up-to-date guidance from the state and the Allentown Health Bureau. Masks will be required to enter the park but may be taken off once patrons reach their assigned seats.
Ticket availability and gate restrictions have not been finalized.
Morning Call reporter Nick Fierro can be reached at 610-778-2243 or nfierro@mcall.com.