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.

Union College of Kentucky defeated Cumberland of Tennessee in the South-Central Super Regional 4-1 Friday afternoon in Lebanon, Tennessee to advance to its first-ever NAIA World Series. With Union’s addition to the field, nine teams have now qualified for the 10 team double-elimination national tournament.

Oklahoma City, Missouri Baptist and Bellevue of Nebraska are the only teams still alive. Oklahoma City has already secured a spot in the World Series by being the highest seeded team remaining. Missouri Baptist, who is playing Oklahoma City in the Mid-South Super Regional must defeat OCU twice in order to punch a ticket to the series.

Bellevue, which fell in the Plains Super Regional to Jamestown, North Dakota can secure an At-Large invitation if Oklahoma City wins one more game against Missouri Baptist. Other teams that have already qualified for the national tournament include; host school Lewis-Clark State, Azusa Pacific of California, Spring Arbor of Michigan, Lee of Tennessee, Ohio Dominican, Embry Riddle of Florida, Jamestown of North Dakota, Oklahoma City, and Union of Kentucky.

The Avista NAIA World Series begins next Friday May 23rd at Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.

Officials with the 2008 Avista NAIA World Series are gearing up for this year’s national tournament at Harris Field and are expecting large crowds throughout the event’s week-long run in Lewiston, Idaho. Gary Picone, Tournament Director says ticket sales have been brisk locally, and as teams qualify, availability for the most desirable seats may dwindle.

Gary Picone, NAIA World Series Tournament Director, comments
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Tickets may be purchased with a debit or credit card in advance by calling (208) 792-2471. The main ticket booth, located adjacent to Harris Field at the Activity Center, will also be open one hour prior to the first game scheduled each day through the sixth inning of the last scheduled game for walk up purchases.

The 2008 Avista NAIA World Series begins next Friday May 23rd in Lewiston, Idaho and officials are seeking individuals and groups to serve as volunteers for this year’s national tournament. Tournament Director Gary Picone says many shifts have been filled, but there are still some duties and jobs available to those who want to take part.

Gary Picone, LCSC AD & NAIA World Series Tournament Director, comments

Volunteers work in virtually every capacity from taking tickets, ushering, working concessions and selling souvenirs among other things. There are also added benefits to volunteering.

Picone continues

For more information on volunteering for this year’s NAIA World Series call (208) 792-2729.