Published: July 26, 2009 12:21 am      

Baseball cards, essay contest are on tap for AAABA tournament

The Tribune-Democrat will offer two exciting promotions in connection with this year’s All-American Amateur Baseball Association tournament.

The newspaper will produce commemorative baseball cards featuring this year’s Johnstown tournament players as well as all-time tournament greats from years past.

The heavy, glossy, full-color cards will include pictures of the players as well as statistics and biographical information.

Cards will be available for sale during the evening games at Point Stadium from opening night, Aug. 10, through Thursday night, Aug. 13. Each night, fans can purchase a new packet of nine cards for $2.

Complete sets will also be available for purchase beginning on opening night.

Each packet will include cards featuring some of the best Johnstown players to appear in the AAABA Tournament, and some of the great players from other cities who have showcased their talents here.

“We think AAABA fans of all ages will want to collect all 36 cards, and even get them signed,” said Tribune-Democrat Editor Chip Minemyer. “The baseball cards should be a fun addition to what is already a fantastic baseball event. We’re hoping this turns into a tradition we can do year after year.”

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Also, for a fourth straight year, The Tribune-Democrat is sponsoring an essay contest for AAABA fans, with the winner throwing out the honorary first pitch before the Aug. 11 game at Point Stadium.

In keeping with the baseball card theme, here’s this year’s question: “If you could have a signed baseball card of any AAABA tournament player, past or present, who would it be and why?”

Essay writers must answer the question in 200 words or fewer. The deadline for essay entries is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Entries may be mailed to AAABA Essay Contest, The Tribune-Democrat, 425 Locust Street, P.O. Box 340, Johnstown, Pa. 15901; e-mailed to sports@tribdem.com; or dropped off at the newspaper office on Locust Street in Johnstown.

Entries must include the entrant's contact information.

The essays will be judged by sports writers and editors at The Tribune-Democrat.

Winners will be announced in the Sunday, Aug. 9 edition – the day before the tournament begins.

The winning essay will be published in that edition, along with excerpts from other entries.

The essay contest grand-prize winner will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the second night game at Point Stadium.

That winner and two other runners-up will receive four all-week passes to tournament games.