Minnesota State VFW Baseball Tournament in Brainerd, MN, August 7 - 11, 2019

Bob "Baseball" Marsh, event coordinator

Brainerd High School Field

Sauk Rapids Post #6992 / Foley - Champions
Montrose Post #1901 / Buffalo - 2nd Place
Spring Lk Park Post #6587 / Moundsview - 3rd Place
Chaska Post #1791 - 4th Place

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Thursday, August 8, 2019:  Play got underway at both fields in Brainerd.  The weather was great and there was a lot of enthusiasm.  Some ordered hamburgers at the Brainerd VFW that night, prepared by Chef Damond Clanton, a 30 year veteran of the National Guard.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2019:  About 300 attended a banquet held for teams competing in the 65th Annual Minnesota State VFW Baseball Tournament in Brainerd.  The MC was Jimmy V, a well known local radio personality.  Robert Bernier, Department VFW Baseball Chairman, gave the group a big welcome.  The guest speaker was Tony Veith, Brainerd High School graduate.  He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1977.  Tony is now a sport official for baseball, softball and basketball.  He urged players to stick with it even when they are having a bad season.

Teams represented in this competition are from Owatonna, Sauk Rapids, Austin, Forest Lake, Mankato, Montrose, Grand Rapids, Spring Lake Park and Brainerd.

The Post 1647 Chaplin's Prayer:  Heavenly Father.....thank you for making it possible for the Veterans of Foreign Wars to host this 65th annual baseball tournament for young players.  They are "a band of brothers."  Watch over them as they may be our nation's future leaders.  Help them be strong in will and to do right by our country.  Amen.

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Photos of the Brainerd Sophomore team from earlier in the 2019 season.