Host Team Announced Monday for Big League World Series

The 2012 host team for the Big League World Series was announced Monday at Phoenix Inn in Greenville.

Seventeen Upstate players have been named to the roster, including Easley High baseball players Tucker Burgess, Will Hartsell, Stephen McKnight and Will Porter. (See roster below for a complete listing of team members.)

The Big League World Series will begin July 25 at J.B. "Red" Owens Complex in Easley.

McKnight said he was looking forward to the tournament getting started. He said he was looking forward to playing with his Easley High teammates again and in front of his hometown crowd.

"This is going to be a great experience," McKnight said. "I'm looking to have fun, play baseball and hopefully be in that 8 o'clock prime time spot."

McKnight said he had played baseball with or against his teammates his whole life.

"It's going to be a lot of fun and we will be in front of a big crowd," McKnight said. "Easley has turned out the past couple of years, so we hope this year won't be any different."

Tournament director Jon Humphrey said this year, patrons will notice a few changes at the home of the Big League World Series in Easley.

The Owens Complex currently has a few construction projects underway. New bullpens and batting cages are being constructed and the chainlink fence is coming down behind the back stop. Humphrey said black netting will replace the fence and will give attendees a better visual perspective of the field.

"It's great baseball," Humphrey said. "We have a long history of excellent baseball in the world series. Bring your fans, cool wraps, towels and watch some great baseball."

Fan Fest will be held on July 24, featuring a home run derby and a concert. Games will begin on July 25.

The final game will be played at 8 p.m. Aug. 1  and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

"The final game is a great experience for the teams that make it in," Humphrey said. "You get to showcase that baseball talent and South Carolina on ESPN, at the same time."

Temporary bleachers will be added as needed for seating at the complex. Humphrey said the tournament sees about 15,000 patrons during the course of the tournament. He said they also plan to add some tents on the hill area of the park so that patrons who bring their lawn chairs will have some shade in that area.

Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the Owens Complex starting the day of the tournament.