The Fall Classic baseball tournament, a recent addition to the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival, has gained in popularity this year, due to increased interest in youth baseball.

The Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival has been around the area since fall of 1979 as it involves many events and businesses advertising within the eastern panhandle. While the event has been big the past 50+ years, there has been a new addition in the last five.

The Fall Classic baseball tournament was the newest addition to The Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival. The tournament was an idea of James Chancey, current organizer of the event. In 2021, when the event first started, it attracted 35 players. By 2024, the number of players has surged to 90, along with several players on the waiting list.

When asked why he decided to start the event, James responded, “I created the event to promote high school baseball in the Eastern Panhandle and to get the community involved in something fun for kids.” “Another aspect of the Fall Classic is that players must maintain a 3.0 GPA in hopes of highlighting well-rounded student-athletes,” stated Chancey.

Although the event looks to recognize athletes for performance on the field, the GPA rule is in place to keep students successful in the classroom as well. James’ hopes are that this generation of student-athletes will be excited to better their education through and past high school. James Chancey stated several times how thankful he was for the community’s help running the games, as 2024 Musselman Graduates, Conner Chancey and Kyle Lore, returned to coach two teams.

“Next year we hope to open the Fall Classic up to softball as well,” stated Chancey. He hopes the community will get even more involved with the event.