CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) and the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier Baseball League have agreed to a five-year contract extension to host the MAC Baseball Championship through 2020 at their facility; All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon, Ohio. All Pro Freight Stadium has been the host venue of the tournament since 2012.
Each year the MAC Baseball Tournament brings eight teams to Avon, Ohio for a five-day double elimination tournament. Western Michigan has qualified for this year's tournament which is scheduled for May 20-23. The No. 7 seeded Broncos will face No. 2 seeded Kent State in their first game Wednesday at 1 p.m.
"All Pro Freight Stadium provides us with one of the finest facilities in the Midwest to host our Conference championship," said MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. "For the student-athletes it provides a great venue on which to compete and for our fans it provides all the amenities for an excellent viewing experience. I appreciate the partnership with the stadium and the hard work and effort it puts forth to assist us in hosting this event."
All Pro Freight Stadium has numerous amenities that sets it apart from other ballparks around the Midwest. All Pro Freight Stadium has a field made up of artificial turf, Tiger Turf, with the exception of the pitcher's mound, batter's box and bullpens. All Pro Freight Stadium has a total capacity of 5,000 plus. The stadium has 2,600 fixed seats, two club level party areas, 11 private suites and a picnic plaza on the third base line that holds 400.
"The Crusher organization is proud to continue to host the MAC Tournament," said Lake Erie Crushers Owner Steve Edelson. "We have been working closely in the past and will do so for years to come as they bring a prestigious conference to All Pro Freight Stadium."
The 2015 MAC Baseball Championship will come to All Pro Freight Stadium May 20-24. The five-day tournament showcases MAC baseball at its best with multiple games on Wednesday thru Saturday. The championship game will be played on Sunday, May 24th.
For more information on this year's MAC Baseball Championship including the bracket, ticket prices, directions and more -- Click Here
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 11 members of the Football Bowl Subdivison (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five (5) states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.
Current MAC schools that hold full membership and the year they joined are -- East Division: University of Akron (1992), Bowling Green State University (1952), University at Buffalo (1998), Kent State University (1951), Miami University (1947), Ohio University (1946). West Division: Ball State University (1973), Central Michigan University (1971), Eastern Michigan University (1971), Northern Illinois University (1975-86, rejoined in 1997), University of Toledo (1950), Western Michigan University (1947). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS
The Lake Erie Crushers debuted in style in 2009 in Avon, Ohio and won the 2009 Frontier League Championship with over 3,000 fans per game. In 2010, the ballpark became home to Cleveland State University, Avon High School baseball and hosted over 7,000 fans for the stadium's first concert featuring Alan Jackson. In 2012 All Pro Freight Stadium was awarded the Mid-American Conference Baseball tournament, and will continue to host the tournament through 2020.
Currently, All Pro Freight Stadium is home to the Notre Dame College, Avon High School, St. Edward's High School and also hosts several other college, high school and youth baseball teams in the greater Cleveland area as well as numerous community events.
All Pro Freight Stadium features capacity for 5,000 fans including 3,500 reserved seats, 11 private suites , four-person terrace tables, lawn seating for 1,500, and picnic & patio areas for group outings. The stadium features field turf, fan fare concessions, a team souvenir shop and a state-of-the-art sound system.
