Australian Baseball Team Leader Touts 24th Annual Tour of Redlands

The Australia Expos are back for their 24th Annual Tour of Redlands, June 27 to July 6, a team representative said Thursday.

The Expos, ages 15 to 20, are staying with host families and plan to compete in "a 5-game series of international goodwill baseball games" against the Redlands 909ers, said Steve Chapman, Australian Baseball Tour of Redlands co-founder and president.

The 909ers field players from Redlands High, Redlands East Valley, Citrus Valley and Arrowhead Christian Academy, Chapman said in an email. Players are selected based on attitude, ability, achievement, and commitment made by their families for the 9-day tour.

The Expos-909ers schedule includes:

5 p.m. Friday June 28: Opening Day Ceremony followed by Game 1 at San Manuel Stadium, San Bernardino.

3:30 p.m. Saturday June 29: Team photos followed by Game 2 at Redlands High School

1:30 p.m. Sunday June 30: Game 3 at Redlands East Valley followed by Pizza Party at Uncle Howie's

7 p.m. Monday July 1: Attending Quakes vs. 66ers at Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter

7 p.m. Tuesday July 2: Game 4 at Fiscalini Field, San Bernardino

4 p.m. Wednesday July 3: Closing Ceremony followed by Game 5 at Redlands High

5:30 p.m. Friday July 5: Banquet followed by Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Mentone Moose Lodge

For more information about the Australian Baseball Tour of Redlands, contact Chapman at cubfanman052@yahoo.com or (909) 709-4578.