PIERCE, Neb. -- Summer American Legion baseball's finale is right around the corner, and the people of Pierce are preparing to be a major part of it.

“We are really excited about hosting state here at the end of the month, " Pierce Tournament Coordinator Blaine Bockelman said. “It’s been a long-time goal of the town and the baseball program. Probably 30 plus years - it has been a goal and a dream of ours.”

This upcoming week, things will kick into high gear with the area tournament in Columbus. Then the week after, Pierce will host the state tournament with an automatic bid already in their pocket as a result of being the hosts.

“It is going to be nice hosting state,” Head Coach Brian West said. “This will be the fifth time in the last eight years that we have participated in state, so it’s not like we are new at it. It will be nice being able to showcase our field and participate.”

Because Pierce does not have a baseball team with the high school, many of these players hadn't even swung a bat in months prior to the start of the season. Since baseball isn’t offered as a sport in the community of approximately 1,800 people, most of the players participated in other sports during the spring season, like golf. 

“Yeah it’s really exciting playing baseball out here one more time with my buddies,” player Travis Emory said. “We get to host the state tournament which not many small towns in northeast Nebraska can say that. We’ve got some good competition in Class B so some of the best players in the state will be here in little ole’ Pierce, playing baseball.” 

Players say they are excited and are optimistic about their chances in the tournament; knowing the competition ahead of them. 

“Four of the seven teams there are in the Ralph-Bishop League and we’ve faced them already,” West said. “So we know we can compete there and see what we can do at state.” 

Home field advantage and keeping the bats warm will be the strengths of this team, as they will be facing other Class B schools in the coming weeks. 

“We’re all pretty good hitters and fielders,” player Jacksen Wachholtz said. “You know, just go out there and have fun.”

The area tournament begins July 21 in Columbus, with state beginning a week later.