Fox Carolina Helps Kick Off BLWS

Fox Carolina brought its summer “Celebrate the Carolinas” tour to an end in Easley and help build excitement for the Big League World Series.

Fox Carolina filmed at the J.B. “Red” Owens Complex, the home of the Big League World Series Tuesday morning.

Anchor Joe Gagnon spoke with city and series officials and players as they prepared for the series, which kicks off tomorrow.

City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Brian Garrison spoke of the economic impact that the series has in Easley and the surrounding area each year.

“Clemson University estimates that during the seven-day period we approach a million dollars (in economic impact),” Garrison said. “I'm fairly confident that we exceed in that in certain years. This year, luckily, we have two local teams participating, our own South Carolina District 1 and back in this year again is Greenville District 7. We're excited to have them.

“We have the Upstate well-represented,” Garrison said. “We encourage everyone in the viewing area to come out, see some great baseball, some future stars and come see Easley's hospitality.”

BLWS Tournament Jon Humphrey told Gagnon he's really excited now that opening day of the tournament has arrived after hard work all year long by the volunteers who make the tournament possible.

“I'm ready to watch some great baseball,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey said Tuesday morning that all of the series' teams have arrived.

“We have 11 teams who come from all around the world, we have six US teams and five international teams,” he said. “We have the Canadians, they're from British Columbia. Germany will represent Europe-Africa. We have Venezuelans playing for Latin America. We have Mexico. Asia-Pacific will be represented by Chinese-Taipei.

The Championship Game will be broadcast live on ESPN at 6:30pm Wednesday, July 31.

Gagnon and Humphrey ended their interview with a plea to Fox Carolina's morning meteorologist Nicole Papay regarding the weather during the series, after a very soggy summer so far.

“We could really use some help, Nicole,” Humphrey said. “See what you can do for us.”

Some District 1 players helped Gagnon brush up on his pitching skills.

“I'm trying to show these guys my skills when I played for Santoro's Pizza in Little League when I was seven years old,” Gagnon said.

Daniel Nations said his own pitching was “not too fast.”

“How fast is not too fast?” Gagnon said.

“Like 88, 89,” Nations replied.

“89 miles per hour?” Gagnon said. “That's pretty fast.”

Gagnon then showed off his own skills on the mound.

“Ready for the heat?” he asked.

“Show me what you got,” Nations replied.

“Then you can show me how to really throw,” Gagnon said.

Check out our video of Gagnon showing off his skills.

Gagnon asked Nations if SC District 1 would dominate the tournament and even go undefeated.

“I don't know about undefeated, but I feel we'll be in the championship game,” Nations said.

The fun day at the ballpark continued with Fan Fest, which kicked off the Big World Series festivities with a home run derby, a Team Walk and a concert featuring headliner and American Idol contestant Casey James.

Fan Fest concluded with a fireworks show.

World Series play begins today. At 4pm Latin America will take on Mexico on Field 1 as East plays West on Field 3. At 7:30pm, SC District 1 plays their first game, facing Southwest on Field 1. Asia-Pacific will play Europe-Africa on Field 3 at 7:30pm.