LEWISTON, Idaho - Lewis-Clark State College and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) officials have reached an agreement to keep the annual Avista NAIA College World Series baseball tournament in Lewiston through 2012. 

LCSC and NAIA officials announced Thursday they signed a three-year contract extension which will keep the 10-team double-elimination tournament at LCSC's Harris Field. LCSC is in its 17th year as serving as host for the week-long tournament, which begins the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.

LCSC played host to the tournament during 1984-91, and has been the host since 2000. 

“Lewis-Clark State College and the entire Lewiston area have teamed up for the past nine years to create an exceptional national championship experience for our baseball teams and fans and we're pleased to extend this host agreement for another four years,” said Scott McClure, NAIA Manager of Championship Sports. 

“Tournament Director Gary Picone and his staff have worked extremely hard in making improvements to what was already a successful championship. They are committed to upgrading facilities and the overall championship experience for our student-athletes through 2012.” 

 “The new contract solidifies a good relationship with NAIA and provides assurance of continuing economic benefit to the LC Valley,” LCSC President Dene K. Thomas said.  “LCSC is proud to contribute to the Valley's well-being.  What benefits LCSC benefits the Valley.” 

The contract extension encompasses the final year of the existing contract in 2009 and includes a three-year extension. The extension contains a couple of minor changes from the existing contract, including the seeding of the tournament host and financial reimbursement to the nine traveling teams. Those changes begin next year. 

Under the current contract, LCSC cannot be seeded higher than third and therefore is not eligible for a first-round bye on opening day. That meant LCSC always played in the game following opening ceremonies on Friday night. 

Under the new agreement, LCSC will retain its pre-tournament seeding rating, meaning it can be seed No. 1 or No. 2 in the tournament and possibly receive a bye on Friday. 

The contract extension also will help traveling teams by covering more of their costs. Under the current agreement, teams are responsible for the airline travel to Spokane and then ground transportation – usually chartered busses – to get to Lewiston. Those costs will now be covered by LCSC under the contract extension. 

The extension also allows LCSC to continue to play in the "prime time" evening game on either opening day or the second d day of the tournament depending on its seed. LCSC also will continue to play in the featured evening game as long as it remains in the winner's bracket. 

 “We have been working on this for almost a year, and although at times it seemed like a long process with negotiations, everything was positive and I think this strengthens our relationship with the NAIA,” Picone said.  

Picone, who is also LCSC's athletic director, is spearheading a campaign to raise $350,000 for new lights at Harris Field and has raised more than $250,000 thus far. He hopes to have the new lighting system finished before the 2009 World Series. 

TOURNAMENT ATTENDANCE AT HARRIS FIELD PRIOR TO 2008 

1984 33,613 (19 games, 1,769 average)                     2000 38,170 (18 games, 2,121 average)

1985 41,585 (19 games, 2,189 average)                     2001 32,920 (19 games, 1,733 average) 

1986 37,018 (19 games, 1,948 average)                     2002 32,930 (19 games, 1,734 average) 

1987 37,283 (18 games, 2,071 average)                     2003 34,465 (19 games, 1,814 average) 

1988 35,098 (18 games, 2,086 average)                     2004 31,685 (18 games, 1,760 average) 

1989 37,632 (18 games, 2,091 average)                     2005 35,070 (19 games, 1,846 average) 

1990 37,440 (19 games, 1,971 average)                     2006 43,670 (19 games, 2,298 average)

1991 39,390 (18 games, 2,188 average)                     2007 40,808 (18 games, 2,267 average) 

Total tournament attendance at Harris Field
588,786