Keeter Stadium's canopy after the stadium's extensions, which were completed June 1, 2022. The canopy was extended and the new LED lights were installed.

World Series starts Thursday, Aug. 11, and runs through to Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Keeter Stadium.

And, as part of the events, it was noted local ALWS baseball fans are accustomed to helping others during the Series at Shelby High School.

One act, contributing nonperishable food and hygiene items to the Neal Senior Center, takes place on opening day of the World Series each August. This year, Atrium Health is sponsoring two more days of food collection for two other local food distribution points.

"Nonperishable food items collected on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13 and 14, will be shared with Washington Outreach Ministry Inc. and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. It has become a tradition for the Cleveland County ALWS Baseball Inc. Executive Committee to honor senior citizens with free admission the first day of the national tournament each year. This year that day is Thursday, Aug. 11, with four games featuring all eight regional teams, starting at 10 a.m. Stadium gates will open at 8 a.m. The Neal Senior Center administration will place collection boxes on both sides of the main entrance to Keeter Stadium.

"The boxes are receptacles for nonperishable food and hygiene items that will be available at the center for needy seniors. The pantry depends solely on donations. Adults aged 55 and older can receive pantry items up to once a month. The Council on Aging of Cleveland County is the county's leading agency on aging. In addition to the pantry, the staff at the Neal Senior Center provides blood pressure screenings, exercise classes, and other social interaction and support. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates in July 2021, more than 19,000 residents of Cleveland County are 65 and older."

Eddie Holbrook, chairman of the local ALWS committee, said, "We have a consistent crowd of seniors who attend the games and support the series in various way, including as volunteers. The free admission on our longest day and the chance to help our seniors facing food shortages are simple ways we can assist people who are very important to us."

He continued, "We have heard uplifting stories of the work by Washington Outreach Ministry Inc., and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. They are suppling food to over 15,000 individuals monthly. We applaud their assistance to the hungry in our community."

Also, during the series, the ALWS committee is honoring health care personnel by offering free admission for all 15 games of the 2022 series. In addition to the food collection, Atrium Health is sponsoring Health Care Heroes Day on Sunday, Aug. 14. Miss North Carolina USA Morgan Romano and Miss Volunteer America Alexa Knutzen will sign autographs in the Atrium Health Hospitality Tent and give autograph seekers an Atrium Health challenge coin.

"We cannot thank all health care workers personally for standing in the gap during the pandemic, but we can acknowledge that we owe them a debt of gratitude for their service," says Holbrook.

The following regional teams will advance to the American Legion Baseball World Series: Northeast Region - Shrewsbury Post 397 (Shrewsbury, MA); Mid-Atlantic Region - Chesapeake Post 280 (Chesapeake, VA); Southeast Region - Camden Post 17 (Camden, SC); Mid-South Region - Troy Post 70 (Troy, AL); Great Lakes Region - Midland Berryhill Post 165 (Midland, MI); Central Plains Region - Omaha Post 1 (Omaha, NE); Northwest Region - Idaho Falls Post 56 (Idaho Falls, ID); and Western Region - League City Post 554 (League City, TX).

As for the games, all 15 of the 2022 ALWS will be available for viewing via ESPN broadcast or streaming services (visit The American Legion website for a complete schedule).

For more information about the games and tickets, visit www.americanlegionworldseries.com or call 704-466-3103 weekdays.

For more information about the Neal Senior Center, visit www.nealseniorcenter.org or call 704-482-3488. For more information about Washington Outreach Ministry Inc., visit www.washingtonoutreachministryinc.org or call (704) 769-4128.

For more information about Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, visit https://mtcalvaryshelby.org or call (704) 482-7713.