SALEM — After 36 years as one of the great traditions of the summer on the North Shore, the Ray Gallant Memorial Baseball Tournament has decided to end operations, according to a statement from the tournament’s Board of Directors.
Named after former Salem Little League coach and member of the Board of Directors Ray Gallant after he died from cancer, the tournament annually hosts the best 12-year-old all-star Little League teams from around the North Shore.
“The Gallant Invitational Baseball Tournament Board, led by President Sean O’Keefe, has made the unfortunate decision to end the Raymond Gallant Invitational Tournament,” the statement from the Board of Directors read. “While the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancelation of the 2020 tournament, which would have been our 37th, we fully intended to come back in 2021. However, it has become apparent that with fewer and fewer volunteers to make this work, doing it right to make sure it would remain the best tournament would be impossible. And not doing it right is simply not an option. While this decision was difficult to make, we know it truly is the best decision. It’s been quite a ride, and we’re glad we did it. Don’t be upset that it’s over, smile and look fondly back at the 36 years we had.”
The tournament, which was known to be the oldest youth invitational tournament in the state, ran for almost 40 years — from 1984-2019. It was known around the area as a great bridge tournament between Little League and Babe Ruth, as the games came at the end of every summer and went seven innings with no pitch counts.
The final season of the Gallant Tournament was won by Lynn, who beat Peabody back in 2019.