'The Best of the Best': Edina Hosts American Legion Baseball Tournament

The annual American Legion state tournament will be held on Edina's Braemar Field starting Thursday.

It's the first time Edina's hosting the tournament. The Edina Legion team beat Eden Prairie last year in the state championship, the community’s fifth.

Sixteen teams from across Minnesota, eight from the metro, will face off in a double-elimination tournament, the winner advancing to a regional tournament and then, with a bit of pluck and a bit of luck, to the American Legion World Series in North Carolina.

“This is a great field of teams. The best of the best,” said Edina Legion Coach Nick Kennedy in a statement. “Not only are there some great metro area teams like Eden Prairie, Chester Bird and Burnsville, but the out-state area is very well represented with strong programs coming from Grand Rapids, Rochester and Forest Lake.”

An opening ceremony, home run derby and pre-tournament banquet will be held Thursday, with games starting Friday.

“We have had nearly 250 volunteers working to put this event together,” said Channing Handberg  “This is going to be one of the best Legion tournaments in some time. We have the traditional powers along with some teams looking to make a name for themselves. It’s going to be a baseball fan’s dream come true.”

Here's what else is happening in Edina this weekend:

• The Galleria Williams-Sonoma is holding a salad making class at 6 p.m. Friday.
• Judith Whipple, a sculpted bird artist, will be at Three Rooms from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.