Lewis-Clark State College and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics officials have reached an agreement to keep the annual Avista NAIA College World Series baseball tournament in Lewiston, Idaho through 2012. NAIA Manager of Championship Sports Scott McClure says both parties are pleased with the outcome of all negotiations.

Scott McClure, NAIA Championships Manager, comments

Under the new extension plan, Lewis-Clark State as the host will now be required to accept a first round bye should they be seeded #1 or #2 in the 10-team field. Previously, the host institution could be seeded no higher than 3rd in order to guarantee a tournament appearance on opening night. Tournament Director and LCSC Athletic Director Gary Picone, who spent the past several months working with NAIA officials on an extension plan believes the college’s willingness to amend the current host guidelines helped in fostering a new agreement.

Gary Picone, LCSC Athletic Directory and World Series tournament director, comments

The contract extension also will help traveling teams by covering more of their costs. Under the current agreement, teams are responsible for airline travel to Spokane, Washington and then ground transportation – usually buses – to get to Lewiston. Those costs will now be covered by LCSC under the contract extension. LCSC is in its 17th year as serving as host for the week-long tournament, which begins the Friday of Memorial Day weekend annually.