Shelby The Legion World Series Home

There is a reason why Shelby North Carolina  got the American Legion World Series to come to it's town.  If there is such a thing as a hotbed for Legion baseball Cleveland County North Carolina is it.  It is to Legion baseball what Tobacco Road is to college basketball.  It is the center of the Legion Universe and spreads out from there.

Tuesday night Brooklawn New Jersey won their third World Series title beating Petaluma California 10-0 in seven innings.  Brooklawn has twice finished second and has made it to the World Series 15 times in their history.  The championship was won in front of 6,000 fans there to watch the game, it was standing room only for two teams as far as North Carolina is concerned should be from the moon.  How in the world did the city of Shelby and the American Legion get so many to attend?  Two local companies bought up all the tickets that were  not sold  and gave away to fans to attend the game.

When it comes to marketing  Shelby hit a home run. Just think of the concession sales from 6,000 thirsty and hungry attendees.  Yes the two companies not only did something for their commumity but think of the good will they now have in their home town.  I think this was the 4th year that Shelby has been the host of the World Series and I think the average attendance for all 15 games played during the tournament was 3,000 or more.  Shelby loves that Legion ball.

On that same thought you know that athletics in high schools cost a few dollars to fund all the sports that high schools  provide their students.  I have often wondered when a baseball game only has 200 people or basketball is played on a Tuesday night with only 400 in the house or about 1/3 full wouldn't it be better to charge students just $1 to get in and have a stands full of students who you know at the half are going out in the mezzanine and buy popcorn.

In order to make money you either have to have a winning product that everyone wants to follow or you have to make it cheap enough to want to go anyway.  I can assure you I don't go to movies any more because of the high cost to get in and even then the higher cost to enjoy the stay.