Final eight teams set for the 2018 ALWS

Out of over 3,500 teams nationwide, the final eight American Legion Baseball squads have punched their tickets to Shelby, N.C., for the 2018 American Legion World Series (ALWS), Aug. 16-21. They are Braintree, Mass., Post 86; Wilmington, Del., Post 1; Randolph County, N.C., Post 45; Gonzales, La., Post 81; Midland, Mich., Post 165; Dubuque County, Iowa, Post 137; Meridian, Idaho, Post 113; and Las Vegas Post 40. Both Michigan and North Carolina appeared in the 2017 ALWS.

Teams will be divided into two pools, the Stars and the Stripes, with the top two in each pool advancing to the knockout round.

Follow the American Legion World Series on Twitter, Facebook and use the hashtag #ALWS18. And follow along here. The ALWS mobile app makes it easy to follow game coverage. The app, available through the Apple Store and Google Play, keeps baseball fans connected with game schedules, pairings, scores, video highlights, photos and more.

The following is a schedule of the 2018 ALWS games:

Thursday, Aug. 16 – Senior Citizens Day

Games available on ESPN3.com or the WatchESPN app

10 a.m. – Wilmington, Del., Post 1 vs. Dubuque County, Iowa, Post 137

1 p.m. – Gonzales, La., Post 81 vs. Braintree, Mass., Post 86

4 p.m. – Randolph County, N.C., Post 45 vs. Midland, Mich., Post 165

7:30 p.m. – Meridian, Idaho Post 113 vs. Las Vegas Post 40

Friday, Aug. 17 – Youth Academic Achievement Day

Games available on ESPN3.com or the WatchESPN app

4 p.m. – Wilmington, Del., Post 1 vs. Gonzales, La., Post 81

7 p.m. – Dubuque County, Iowa Post 137 vs. Braintree, Mass., Post 86

Saturday, Aug. 18 – Military Appreciation Day presented by USAA; Special Salute to Women Veterans

Games available on television on ESPNU, or online at WatchESPN, or with the WatchESPN app

1 p.m. – Midland, Mich., Post 165 vs. Las Vegas Post 40

4 p.m. – Randolph County, N.C., Post 45 vs. Meridian, Idaho, Post 113

7:30 p.m. – Gonzales, La., Post 81 vs. Dubuque County, Iowa, Post 137

Sunday, Aug. 19 – Medical Community Day

Games available on television on ESPNU, or online at WatchESPN, or with the WatchESPN app

1 p.m. – Braintree, Mass., Post 86 vs. Wilmington, Del., Post 1

4 p.m. – Midland, Mich., Post 165 vs. Meridian, Idaho, Post 113

7:30 p.m. – Randolph County, N.C., Post 45 vs. Las Vegas Post 40

Monday, Aug. 20 – American Legion Family Day

Games available on television on ESPNU, or online at WatchESPN, or with the WatchESPN app

4 p.m. – Semifinal

7 p.m. – Semifinal

Tuesday, Aug. 21 – Championship Tuesday

Championship game is available on ESPNU, online at WatchESPN, or the WatchESPN app

7 p.m. – Championship game

Stars pool:

Region 3: Southeast - Randolph County, N.C., Post 45

Region 5: Great Lakes - Midland, Mich., Post 165

Region 7: Northwest - Meridian, Idaho, Post 113

Region 8: Western – Las Vegas Post 40

Stripes pool:

Region 1: Northeast – Braintree, Mass., Post 86

Region 2: Mid-Atlantic – Wilmington, Del., Post 1

Region 4: Mid-South – Gonzales, La., Post 81

Region 6: Central Plains – Dubuque County, Iowa, Post 137