Baseball tournament providing boost to area

The Continental Amateur Baseball Association’s High School World Series tournament kicked off play July 5 at venues in Cuyahoga, Lorain and Lake counties, galvanizing the support of Lorain’s Puerto Rican community.

In a phone interview from Avon’s Sprenger Stadium on July 6 while watching 7Baseball, the tournament’s sole representative from Puerto Rico, Lorain Ward 6 Councilman Angel Arroyo Jr. said he was hoping to drum up local support for the team of 16- and 17-year olds.

Arroyo, who attended the game with about two dozen other local supporters, wants to encourage Puerto Rican pride and is hoping to get as many people as possible to come out and support the team.

“I want to make sure games in Lorain are supported by everyone,” he said. “We take a special pride that there is a team from Puerto Rico here, and we want to support them as much as possible.”

After opening the tournament with a win, 7Baseball is 2-2, with its next matchup coming against the Wisconsin All-Stars at 10:30 a.m., July 8, at Sprenger Stadium, 2009 Baseball Blvd., according to the tournament website.

The Pipe Yard, at 2840 Meister Road in Lorain, also has hosted games with a full schedule of games beginning at 9 a.m., July 8 and 9, with the final game each day beginning at 6 p.m.

Arroyo said he thinks the area is well-positioned to see a positive economic impact in addition to the opportunity to take in some top flight baseball.

“This is awesome for the city of Lorain to be using The Pipe Yard stadium and great for our county,” he said. “This brings revenue to our local restaurants, hotels and businesses and gives something for baseball fans to root for with so many teams from around the country and the world in our community.”

Arroyo added the Puerto Rican community was hosting a dinner at the team’s hotel in Westlake at 6 p.m. July 7, featuring catered cuisine from Lorain Puerto Rican restaurant Mi Casa Sabor Latino Restaurante, 2229 W. 21st St., with additional sponsorship from Lorain’s Headlinerz Barbershop.

Featuring 48 teams from around the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, the showcase tournament brings top flight scouts to the area to get a glimpse at young talent on their way to the college and professional ranks, according to its website.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGEL ARROYO Members of Puerto Rico’s 7Baseball prepare to take the field at Avon’s Sprenger Stadium at 2009 Baseball Boulevard in the 2017 CABA High School World Series on July 6. In addition to Puerto Rico, the 17 and under tournament features 48 teams from the...