A
Brief History of
American
Legion Baseball
This season marks the 79th Anniversary of competition in the program.
The tremendous increase in the number of teenagers interested in supervised
recreation provided by this program is a continuing challenge to American
Legionnaires everywhere to improve and expand their efforts.
1925
"In
this city on July 17, 1925, by action of the South Dakota Department
of The American Legion, the nationwide organization of Legion Junior
Baseball was first proposed as a program of service to the youth of
America". Those words are inscribed on a marble monument in the
community of Milbank, South Dakota as a reminder of the beginning of
this fine Americanism program. The program's years of existence can
be explained best by a portion of that inscription: "A program of service
to the youth of America." Since its beginning, over ten million young
men have played Legion Baseball.
|
1926
American Legion Baseball
became a National program by convention action in 1925, and the first
National Tournament was held in 1926. Only 16 states were represented
in this first year of national operation. In 1927, National competition
was prevented because of insufficient funds due to the national convention
being held in Paris; however, state competition was strong. In 1928,
Mr. Dan Sowers, the Director of the National Americanism Commission,
appeared before the Executive Council of Baseball in Chicago, which
agreed to underwrite the national program up to $50,000. With the exception
of two years, the Major Leagues have continually supported American
Legion Baseball. Major League Baseball continues to make a financial
contribution each year.
|
1929
During the 1929 season,
every state ENTERED teams into competition. The National Broadcasting
Company originated its nationwide broadcast of the finals. Nineteen
thirty-one marked the first appearance in championship play of a player
who was later to become a big-league great. Kirby Higbe hurled a complete
game for Columbia, South Carolina, and lost the final game in the 14th
inning, 1-0. Ten years later, he was the National League's top pitcher.
|
1938
In 1938, the finals
were broadcast to more than 3,000 radio stations, bringing the series
to every section of the country. Major League umpires were used for
the first time that year. Nineteen-forty and 194l marked the years that
American Legion Baseball became an established national institution
for American youth. During the war years, the program was restricted
but continued its service to our nation's youngsters. The post-war years
saw the continued growth of the program and the nation's realization
of the importance of this type of activity for boys of all age groups.
|
1949
In 1949, the selection
of an American Legion Player of the Year was originated. This was arranged
through the cooperation of Mr. Robert Quinn, Director of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
|
1950
Nineteen-fifty marked
the first year any player ever won the Hillerich and Bradsby Batting
Championship trophy two consecutive years. J. W. Porter, Oakland catcher,
accomplished this with a .55l average in l949 and a .488 average in
l950.
|
1960's
The sixties saw the
program grow stronger under the leadership of George W. Rulon, Program
Coordinator for American Legion Baseball, who held that post from 1961
until 1987. Upon his retirement, The American Legion Player of the Year
Award was renamed the George W. Rulon Player of the
Year in honor of the late Program Coordinator.
|
1970's
The seventies saw
three more national awards established by the
National Americanism Commission. The Dr. Irvin L. (Click) Cowger RBI
award, Rawlings Big Stick Award, and the Bob Feller pitching awards
were established based on players' statistics in Regional and World
Series Tournaments.
|
1982
In 1982, the National
Americanism Commission adopted the eight-site, eight team, double elimination
Regional Tournament format. Sixty-four of the best teams in the country
begin National competition at the Regional.
|
1998
In 1998, The American
Legion established a national baseball scholarship. A $1,000 scholarship
is awarded to each participating Department. A total of $51,000 is awarded
annually to 51 outstanding American Legion Baseball players. Recipients
are selected by each Department Baseball Committee based upon leadership,
character, scholarship and financial need. Players are nominated by
local Legion Post. Scholarship applications are distributed to each
team. Players nominated must be sponsored by a local American Legion
Post, and must be a graduated senior or in their final year of high
school. Three letters of recommendation are required from the Team Manager,
American Legion Post Commander and community or school leader. Players
can request an application from the local team manager. Applications
must be mailed to Department Headquarters Office by July 15.
|
2003
The American Legion,
America's largest veteran's organization, sponsors this annual baseball
competition. Nearly $1,000,000 is spent on transportation, meals and
lodging for the 1,400 players who compete each year in the eight Regional
and National Championship tournaments. Tournament game fees and sponsorship
by Major League Baseball offset part of this cost. Nearly $600,000 in
expenses is paid from The American Legion Life Insurance Fund, which
underwrites this and other Youth Activities programs of The American
Legion.
In 2003, nearly $7
million was raised by local Legion Posts to sponsor the 5,400 registered
American Legion Baseball teams and other athletic teams in their communities.
The purpose continues to be in 2004 the same as was in 1925, "An investment
in America's Youth." The history of American Legion Baseball has proven
that America's youth receive on the baseball diamond a thorough understanding
of the true value of sportsmanship, leadership and individual character
building.
|
