American Legion Baseball
American Legion Baseball is a variety of amateur baseball played by teenage boys in 50 states in the USA. More than five thousand teams participate each year. The American Legion Department of South Dakota established the program in 1925 at Milbank, South Dakota. Most Major League Baseball players played American Legion Baseball.
Purpose
According to the American Legion, the purpose of American Legion Baseball is to give young men "an opportunity to develop their skills, personal fitness, leadership qualities, and to have fun." [1]
History
- See footnote[2]
Age divisions
- See footnote[3]
- Junior American Legion Baseball (ages 13-17)
- Senior American Legion Baseball (19 and under)[4]
Regional tournaments
- See footnote[5][4]
- Divisions
- Central Plains: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
- Great Lakes: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
- Mid-Atlantic: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
- Mid-South: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee
- Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island
- Northwest: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
- Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Puerto Rico
- Western: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah
State tournaments
- See footnote[6]
Champions
- See footnote[7]
1926–1959
- 1930-Baltimore, MD 81
- 1931-Chicago, IL 493
- 1932-New Orleans, LA
- 1933-Chicago, IL
- 1934-Cumberland, MD 13
- 1935-Gastonia, NC 23
- 1936-Spartanburg, SC 28
- 1937-East Lynn, MA 291
- 1938-San Diego, CA 6
- 1939-Omaha, NE 1
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- 1950-Oakland, CA 337
- 1951-Los Angeles, CA 715
- 1952-Cincinnati, OH 50
- 1953-Yakima, WA 36-
- 1954-San Diego, CA 492
- 1955-Cincinnati, OH 216
- 1956-St. Louis, MO 245
- 1957-Cincinnati, OH 50
- 1958-Cincinnati, OH 50
- 1959-Detroit, MI 187
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1960–1999
- 1960-New Orleans, LA 125
- 1961-Phoenix, AZ 1
- 1962-St. Louis, MO 299
- 1963-Long Beach, CA 27
- 1964-Upland, CA 73
- 1965-Charlotte, NC 9
- 1966-Oakland, CA 337
- 1967-Tuscaloosa, AL 34
- 1968-Memphis, TN 1
- 1969-Portland, OR 105
- 1970-West Covina, CA 790
- 1971-West Covina, CA 790
- 1972-Ballwin, MO 611
- 1973-Rio Piedras, PR 146
- 1974-Rio Piedras, PR 146
- 1975-Yakima, WA 36
- 1976-Santa Monica, CA 123
- 1977-South Bend, IN 50
- 1978-Hialeah, FL 32
- 1979-Yakima, WA 36
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- 1980-Honolulu, HI (OS)
- 1981-West Tampa, FL 248
- 1982-Boyertown, PA 471
- 1983-Edina, MN 471
- 1984-Guaynabo, PR 134
- 1985-Midlothian, VA 186
- 1986-Jensen Beach, FL 126
- 1987-Boyertown, PA 471
- 1988-Cincinnati, OH 507
- 1989-Woodland Hills, CA 826
- 1990-Mayo, MD 226
- 1991-Brooklawn, NJ 72
- 1992-Newbury Park, CA (OS)
- 1993-Rapid City, SD 22
- 1994-Miami, FL 346
- 1995-Aiea, HI (OS)
- 1996-Yardley, PA 317
- 1997-Sanford, FL Post 53
- 1998-Edwardsville, IL Post 199
- 1999-New Brighton, MN Post 513
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2000–present
- 2000-Danville, CA Post 246
- 2001-Brooklawn, NJ Post 72
- 2002-West Point, MS Post 212
- 2003-Rochester, MN Post 92
- 2004-Portland, ME (OS)
- 2005-Enid, OK Post 4
- 2006-Metairie, LA Post 175
- 2007-Columbia, TN Post 19
- 2008-Las Vegas, NV Post 76
- 2009-Midland, MI
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Sectional champions
- See footnote[8]
Regional champions
- See footnote[9]
Department champions
- See footnote[10]
Awards
- See footnote[11]
- American Legion Graduate of the Year: "A Major League Baseball player, who is an American Legion Baseball alumnus, is honored each year with the American Legion Graduate of the Year award. The award recognizes character, leadership, playing abilities and community service."[11]
- George W. Rulon Player of the Year: "The award is based on integrity, mental attitude, cooperation, citizenship, sportsmanship, scholastic aptitude and general good conduct."[12][11]
- Louisville Slugger Batting Champion: Awarded "to the player with the highest batting average during national competition."[11]
- Rawlings Big Stick Award: Presented "to the player who rounds the most bases in regional and national competition."[11]
- Dr. Irvin L. "Click" Cowger RBI Memorial Award: Awarded to the player who "is credited with the most runs batted in at the regional tournament and World Series."[11]
- Bob Feller Pitching Award: Presented to the pitcher "with the most strikeouts in regional and national competition."[11]
- James F. Daniel Jr. Memorial Sportsmanship Award: Presented "to a player who participates in the Legion World Series and best embodies the principles of good sportsmanship."[11]
- Jack Williams Memorial Leadership Award: Presented by "the Department of North Dakota ... to the manager and coach of the national championship team as outstanding representatives of adult leadership."[11]
Pledge
American Legion Code of Sportsmanship
I Will Keep The Rules.
I Will Keep Faith with my Teammates.
I Will Keep my Temper.
I Will Keep myself Fit.
I Will Keep a Stout Heart in Defeat.
I Will Keep my Pride under in Victory.
I Will Keep a Sound Soul, a Clean Mind, & a Healthy Body.
Alumni
- See footnote[13]
See also
Notes
External links