Watch how Shelby became home to Legion World Series

Four years ago, The American Legion searched for a permanent American Legion Baseball World Series site. And during the Legion's National Executive Committee's Spring Meetings in May 2010, it was announced that Shelby, N.C., won the bid.

Since Shelby, N.C., became the permanent home of the American Legion Baseball World Series in 2011, records have been set annually with paid attendance and ESPN3.com viewership. Now, starting with the 2014 ALWS, viewership will reach 80 million over the next five years – the championship game will be televised live for the first time in 35 years, by ESPNU. This deal is a result of the perseverance and commitment of all involved to maintain American Legion Baseball’s reputation as one of the most successful and tradition-rich amateur baseball programs in the world.

Viewership of the World Series has expanded in recent years thanks to ESPN3.com live‑streaming all games and having the Series played at a permanent site. Total paid attendance for the 15‑game 2013 ALWS was 104,726, eclipsing the 2012 record of 101,925 and the 2011 record of 86,000.

North Carolina resident Carl White produced a video on how Shelby became the permanent home of the American Legion Baseball World Series. Watch the video here.