Longtime MLB umpire Larry Vanover will be in Owensboro this Friday, giving real-time analysis and insight during a watch party for Game 1 of the 2023 World Series. He’ll also tell stories of his career, which includes being behind the plate of Game 1 in the 2016 World Series — a series that was eventually won by the Chicago Cubs.
The watch party is being hosted as a fundraiser for the Owensboro Post 9 Bombers baseball team.
“Mr. Vanover is going to be there, and he’s going to try to provide some insight into things that are happening on the field and basically share memories of things in the past,” said Matt Freeman, Bombers coach and event organizer. “He had Game 1 of the 2016 World Series, and it was one of the most amazing Game 1s in World Series history. It was absolutely a pitching duel.”
The watch party will be held in the upstairs room (a nonsmoking area) and patio of the James L. Yates America Legion Post 9 at 736 Frederica Street.
Freeman said there will be heavy hors d’oeuvres — such as chicken wings, steak skewers, and more and a cash bar.
Tickets cost $100 each, and due to seating a limited number are available. For tickets or more information, contact Freeman at 270-570-0005 or [email protected].
“There’ll be a lot of good food and camaraderie, and I’m sure there’ll be some tall stories told,” Freeman said.
The Bombers are coming off of their third Kentucky American Legion Baseball State Tournament championship in a row. Now they’re looking to take the next step in the postseason, but Freeman said that means the team will have to travel to face tougher competition — meaning more costs will be involved.
“Our goal has always been to get to the American Legion World Series. We’ve made it to the regional. We’ve won a game a couple of times, but now we want to win two games, three games, four games. It takes a little bit more money because to play a tougher schedule we have to travel to some tournaments that are several hours away from Owensboro. In my opinion, tournaments like that will prepare us better.”
Freeman noted they “hardly charge the players anything,” so fundraisers such as the watch party are important for the team.
“Since day one we felt like having fewer costs allows the parents a little bit more freedom,” he said. “We pay for hotels and we pay for food and travel. It costs a lot of money to do that.”
To keep up with the Bombers team, follow them on Facebook.
