Note to our readers: Post 22 head coach Dave Ploof would not return calls seeking comment for this story.

RAPID CITY - After a rigorous state tournament in which Rapid City Post 22 fought through the loser's bracket to win its 36th state championship, the Hardhats open play this morning at the Central Plains Regional in Minnetonka, Minn.

Rapid City will take on Festus, Mo., in the opening game. The Missouri state champion comes into the game with a record of 34-3 on the season, while Post 22 enters with a season mark of 43-19.

The four-day potentially

15-game tournament will run from Aug. 6-10 with state champions from seven states: Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. The eighth team is the host Excelsior, Minn.

The games will be played at Veteran's Field in Minnetonka, a 4.4 million dollar facility which opened in 2007.

The winner of the Central Plains Regional advances to the American Legion World Series in Fargo, N.D., on Aug. 14-18. Rapid City Post 22 is seeking its ninth appearance in the World Series and its third this decade. The Hardhats last appeared in the World Series in 2005 and last participated in the Central Plains regional in 2006.

Going into play today Post 22 has won 18 of its last 19 games. They are hitting .324 as a team, with centerfielder Parker Sullivan leading the way at .446 while two other players are hitting over .400, Kolton Emery (.416) and Dana Hill (.402). As a pitching staff they have an ERA of 3.24 and have pitched 28 complete games this season. Emery leads the staff with an 8-4 record and a 1.90 ERA.

Should Post 22 win its opening game today they will advance to play the winner of the game between Dickinson, N.D., and Apple Valley, Minn. at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Should the Hardhats drop their first game, they will play the loser of that game at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

The Central Plains Regional is a double-elimination tournament.