OVC baseball gets new home

After nine years of calling Paducah, Ky., home, the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tourament is moving to West Tennessee for the next three years starting in 2010.

The six-team, double-elimination tournament will be held May 26-30 at Pringles Park, home of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, the AA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

"The opportunity to play games at Pringles Park and build on the student-athlete experience and community support of the event is attractive," OVC interim commissioner Brad Walker said in a statement through the league.

The OVC just completed its 30th baseball championship. The first elimination style tournament was held in 1980, most usually being played at the site of the regular season champion. Beginning in 2001, the tournament switched to neutral site Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky.

Walker called the stay in Paducah "a great experience."

“We are going to miss them, but we are excited about the new possibilities that are in store for the tournament," he said.

Pringles Park opened in 1998 and has a seating capacity of 6,000. The venue hosted the 1999 Southern League All-Star Game and will also host that event in 2011. Pringles Park also has luxury suites, a video board and merchandise shop that will be used for the championship.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded the OVC Baseball Tournament for the next three years,” said Tom Hanson, General Manager of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. “Our community always does a great job in supporting major events, and I’m sure this tournament will be no different. We look forward to making this a special experience for all players, coaches, families and friends.”