02/10/2005 7:44 AM - KANSAS CITY – The University of Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State University Wildcats are two of four teams that will be taking part in the first annual “Best of the Midwest” college baseball tournament, to be held April 26-27 at the home of the Kansas City T-Bones, CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, KS. The tournament will be hosted by the Kansas City Sports Commission.

The tournament, the first NCAA Division I college baseball to be played at CommunityAmerica Ballpark since its completion in June 2003, will consist of two games on each of two days. The tournament will have a 2:00 matinee on Tuesday, April 26th, with the 7:00 game featuring the Jayhawks against the New Mexico State Aggies. Wednesday, April 27th will also feature two games in the same time slots, with K-State in the nightcap against the Sacramento (Cal.) State Hornets.

The tournament will consist of four teams for 2005, but will expand to six for 2006, including teams from Creighton University and Missouri as well as other colleges of local interest.

"We’re thrilled to be able to play this tournament at a venue as beautiful as CommunityAmerica Ballpark,” said University of Kansas Head Baseball Coach Ritch Price. “Having this location in place allowed us to attract teams from across the country for the 2005 as well as 2006 tournaments.”

“We're excited to be able to partner with the Sports Commission to offer more baseball excitement to the fans in Kansas City,” remarked Adam Ehlert, VP of Ehlert Development Corporation. “CommunityAmerica Ballpark is such a fan-friendly venue that we're eager to offer this tournament and many more opportunities for baseball fans in the region.”

The official hotel of the tournament will be the Holiday Inn Olathe, located at 101 W. 151st St. in Olathe, KS. The telephone number for the hotel is (913)829-4000.

Local coaches may be reached as follows:
Ritch Price, University of Kansas – (785)864-7907
Brad Hill, Kansas State University – (785)532-3926

Game Schedule for Tuesday, April 26, 2005: Kansas State – Sacramento State 2 pm; Kansas – New Mexico State 7 pm
Game Schedule for Wednesday, April 27, 2005: Kansas – Sacramento State 2 pm; Kansas State – New Mexico State 7 pm

More information will be available soon at the Sports Commission Web site.