Gold will face old foe Creighton Prep

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- New Ulm Legion Gold will kick-off the 2001 Region 6 (Central Plains Region) Tournament at 10 a.m. today when they square off against a familiar foe, Creighton Prep, of Omaha, Neb.

Creighton Prep, which won the Nebraska State Legion championship, was beaten earlier this year by New Ulm (10-2) in the championship game of the Upper Midwest Classic in New Ulm.

Creighton is one of three teams from this year's Upper Midwest Classic to have made it to regional Legion play. The others are Legion Gold and Omaha Post 1, which will play in the Great Lakes Regional in Lancaster, Ohio.

There are two divisions of eight teams vying for the Central Plains Regional championship and a berth in next weekend's American Legion World Series in Yakima, Wash.

New Ulm Gold is in the American Division along with Creighton Prep, La Crosse, Wis., and the host team -- Cedar Rapids.

Teams in the National Division are state champions Emporia, Kan., Estherville, Iowa, Minot, N.D., and Rapid City, S.D.

Following the New Ulm-Creighton Prep game today, Rapid City will take on Emporia at about noon. Estherville will meet Minot at 5 p.m. and then host Cedar Rapids will face La Crosse in the night game.

At 10 a.m. Friday, the round-robin play will continue with Emporia meeting Minot, followed by the New Ulm Gold-La Crosse matchup at about noon. Cedar Rapids will meet Creighton Prep, and Estherville and Rapid City will close out Friday's games.

On Saturday, the first game will pit La Crosse and Creighton Prep against each other. Minot will meet Rapid City at about noon.

Evening action will begin with Estherville and Emporia at 5 p.m. New Ulm will meet Cedar Rapids at about 8 p.m.

Sunday, the winner of the American Division will meet the runners-up of the National Division at 1 p.m. with the National Division champion tangling with the runner-up of the American Division.

The tournament will conclude Monday night. Sunday's winners will meet at 7 p.m.

Results from all eight regional tournaments can be found on the internet. Go to www.legion.org and scroll to "Americanism, children and youth activities. Then scroll to and click on American Legion Baseball to reach the 2001 Regional Tournament page. Scroll to Central Plains Regional Tournament and Brackets for results.