DANBURY – The first stop for the United States Baseball National Team on its Red, White and Blue Tour will be Danbury on Wednesday, July 9, for a game against the Danbury Westerners.

The Westerners play in the competitive NECBL (New England Collegiate Baseball League – a wooden bat league) and this is the first time in the three years since the National Team has barnstormed against NECBL teams that the Westerners will have an opportunity to play.

“This is a great example of special interest tourism working well for our region,” said Catherine Brashich, executive director of Housatonic Valley Tourism.

Martin Medford, Westerners board member and Chairman for this event, said, “The Westerners and Team USA will bring a number of overnight stays from players, coaches, baseball officials, scouts and of course, player’s families. On it’s own, this game has the potential to draw at least 1000 spectators... which is what we need to keep a slot on the tour for next year.”

Since 1978, the USA Baseball National Team has been drawing from the top collegiate baseball players in the country. More than 170 National Team players have successfully gone on to the major leagues – such as Mark McGwire, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Todd Helton, Troy Glaus, Jacque Jones, Tino Martinez, Robin Ventura and Mark Prior, as well as 2000 Olympic Gold Medalists Doug Mientkiewicz and Adam Everett.

“The Westerner’s are going to great lengths to give their fans a fun, exciting family evening,” Medford said. “There will be festive red white and blue decorations and lively band music. We’ll be adding extra bleachers and more convenient restrooms. There’ll also be lots of different food and beverage vending for hungry spectators.”

The pre-game festivities begin at 6pm with a home run contest between the two teams (three or four of the best hitters from each team will participate). Danbury Mayor Boughton will throw out the first pitch at 7pm. Admission is $5 for adults with children under 12 free.

The National Team performs each summer – a schedule of 10-15 exhibition games (six of which are with NECBL teams) all across America, playing America’s top amateur baseball talent. The exhibitions are primarily a preparation for international competitions that occur later in the season.

This year, the National team will be attending the Pan Am Games (August 1-17 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic). In addition, the National Team will also take on the Japanese, Collegiate All-Stars in an annual five-game series for which they lead the all-time series between the two countries by a 19-12 margin.

Team USA has never lost the series on home soil.

“This game already promises to be a great, fast paced exciting game as a number of this year’s Westerners are on excellent collegiate teams,” said Medford. “In fact, many of the players are currently still involved in post-season play, ultimately as qualifiers for the College World Series. Our team this year, will have the benefit of seasoned players experienced in handling high pressure play.”

The Housatonic Valley Tourism is a non-profit, publicly-funded organization dedicated to promoting the region as a destination for visitors to support the economic well-being of its’ nine-town/city region – Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, and Sherman.

Visit www.housatonic.org on the web or call 1-800-841-4488.