LEGION BASEBALL WORLD SERIES

Subject: Legion Baseball World Series 

to be carried live on ESPN3

 

ESPN3 will carry the entire American Legion Baseball World Series.
Please let your local sports editors know about this:
http://www.legion.org/baseball/150200/espn3-show-entire-legion-world-series

Also, post homes might want to show on their big screen TVs.  For those
who don't have cable access to ESPN3, it will be carried as a live
stream on the Internet.  Access through www.legion.org



 INDIANAPOLIS (June 29, 2011) -- ESPN and the Cleveland County American Legion World Series Committee have agreed to a four-year contract, beginning Aug. 12-16, to feature all 15 American Legion Baseball World Series games on ESPN3, the network's live sports broadband network. The games, taking place in Shelby, N.C., will be shown online and on mobile devices to Internet customers with high-speed connections from affiliated service providers.        
   
     In addition to coverage of the games, ESPN3 also will provide coverage of events associated with the World Series, such as the Legion's salute to military families and Blue Star Banner Day on Aug. 14, and the Ronnie Dunn concert on Aug. 11. The network also will provide coverage of the presentation of a Gold Star Banner to the family of a North Carolina military pilot recently killed while deployed overseas.        

     "We are extremely pleased that the Legion baseball committee in Shelby, N.C., has reached this agreement with ESPN3 which will allow hundreds of thousands of fans - maybe even millions of fans - to enjoy watching The American Legion Baseball World Series," said Jimmie L. Foster, national commander of The American Legion. "The people of Shelby, ‘The Home of The American Legion Baseball World Series,' have done everything possible to make this a great and memorable event for those who can attend. Now they have made it possible for all of America to watch these fantastic young athletes in action."

About ESPN3.com
ESPN3.com is ESPN's live sports broadband network, a 24/7online destination that delivers thousands of live, global sports events annually. It is currently available in approximately 70 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or cable TV video subscription from an affiliated service provider. It is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

Ronnie Dunn headlines World Series concert
The American Legion - April 19, 2011

 Ronnie Dunn performs at the 46th Annual Academy of

Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on 

Sunday, April 3, 2011. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

For months, Shelby, N.C., locals and many others have anxiously anticipated the announcement of the country music artist who will be performing prior to the start of the 2011 American Legion World Series games. That wait is over.

Grammy winner Ronnie Dunn, formerly of the duo Brooks & Dunn, will perform in front of 6,000 fans at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby on Aug. 11. And at the moment, plans are being finalized for another artist to be the opener. More importantly, Dunn’s performance is just the beginning to the exciting, unforgettable events Shelby’s Legion Baseball Committee has planned for coaches, players, family members and locals during the World Series, Aug. 12-16.

To prepare for the series and properly accommodate it, Shelby has spent the last six months transforming Keeter Stadium into a state-of-the-art ballpark. However, a few upgrades go beyond the stadium and into the quaint, hospitable town of Shelby.

The outdated, above-ground dugouts were first to undergo major renovation, and after months of construction, Keeter Stadium has two 12-by-70 sunken dugouts that feature rails, storage lights, a restroom and phone lines with direct access to the press box. With the dugouts complete, foundation has recently been laid for an additional 500 seats to be added above each dugout, increasing the ballparks seating capacity from 4,000 to 5,000.

Foundation has also been laid for the new 1,800 square-foot World Series headquarters building that will house national staff. This past December, Lowe’s Home Improvement donated $300,000 for the construction of the building, which will be located adjacent to the field. And to keep Legion staff and others updated on the local weather, Internet scoring and live webcast of each game, a 50-inch monitor will be housed in the World Series headquarters building along with a 42-inch one in the press box.

As for upgrades beyond the stadium, signs now hang below 10 of the “Welcome to Shelby City Limit” signs that run along highways and streets entering into the town. The new signs read: “Home of American Legion World Series.” You can see photos of the signs, as well as stadium renovations, by clicking here to visit Shelby’s Legion World Series Facebook page. And for information on World Series tickets, transportation, accommodations, the latest news and much more, visit www.clevelandcountybaseball.com.

LEGION HONORS FELLER

Legion honors baseball 

icon Bob Feller

Bob Feller signs autographs during the 2009 Legion Baseball
World Series banquet in Fargo, N.D.

Nicknamed “The Heater from Van Meter,” “Bullet Bob” and “Rapid Robert” because of his blazing fastball, Hall-of-Famer and American Legion Baseball icon Bob Feller passed away Wednesday evening (December 15) from a battle with Leukemia. He was 92.

Feller, a farm kid from rural Iowa, found his calling on the mound at age 13 while playing American Legion Baseball in Van Meter - a small town exactly 17 miles west of Des Moines, as he was known to note. It was here that he began a career that carried him to greatness in the nation’s pastime, earning eight all-star selections as a professional and eventually making it to Cooperstown in 1962 as a Hall of Famer.

In his golden years, he was a great ambassador to the game of baseball. In his younger years, he was fanning batters and hurling no-hitters in Legion Baseball leagues. He often recalled his days of playing Legion Baseball as the fondest of his life, saying the experience not only gave him a start as a baseball phenom but taught him how to form lifelong friendships, deal with letdowns in athletic competition and be discovered as a pitcher.

In 1936, Feller was discovered by scout Cy Slapnicka, who, as the legend goes, signed the 17-year-old to play for the Cleveland Indians for $1 and an autographed baseball. During his 18-season career with the Indians, Feller won 266 games and threw 2,581 strikeouts, crediting his arm strength from years of baling hay, picking corn and milking cows as a child on his family’s farm. Known as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Feller is the only major league player to pitch a no-hitter on an opening day, which he did in 1940 against the Chicago White Sox. Because it was the first game of the season, every opposing player left with same batting average (.000) they had when the game began - a trivia fact that Feller was known to use to stump baseball enthusiasts.

Just when his baseball career was in its prime, it came to an abrupt halt on Dec. 7, 1941 with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The following day, Feller enlisted in the Navy - the first major league player to do so - and served as a gun captain on the USS Alabama for four years, earning five campaign ribbons and eight battle stars. After missing four seasons of baseball from serving in World War II, Feller made his comeback in 1946. Skeptics wondered if he could return to form. He emphatically proved them wrong, pitching 348 strikeouts and 10 shutouts in one of his best seasons as a pro. He went on to help the Indians win the World Series in 1948.

Though many speculate Feller may have earned more than 3,000 strikeouts in his career had he not left for war, the legendary Feller is still recognized as one of the game’s all-time great pitchers. In 1962, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., becoming the first American Legion Baseball alumni to be inducted. The Legion presented Feller with a plaque recognizing him as the first Legion Baseball graduate to achieve the remarkable feat, although Feller later mentioned he should be giving the Legion a plaque for giving him an opportunity to play organized ball.

Despite his active life, Feller remained a constant figure in Legion Baseball by attending many Legion World Series games and signing countless autographs free of charge. During the 2009 Legion World Series in Fargo, N.D., Feller spoke during the pregame banquet to Legion players and even, at the age of 91, threw out the first pitch in front of thousands of standing and applauding fans.

Because of his unending support, the Legion established the Bob Feller Pitching Award in 1978. The award is granted to a Legion player who earns the most strikeouts in a regional and national competition.

As the baseball fans remember a legendary player and a war hero, The American Legion calls to light his excellence on the field and off from an article that Feller wrote in June 1963 for the Legion Magazine.

GOOD GUY AWARD

A truly ‘good guy’

By Steve B. Brooks - August 30, 2010

 

Allan "Bud" Selig, center, is presented the James V. Day "Good Guy" Award

from Mark Avis, left, and Richard Pedro. Photo by James V. Carroll

 

 Praised for his devotion to America's pastime, as well as his concern for America's youth and child-prevention efforts, Major League Baseball Commission Allan "Bud" Selig was presented The American Legion's James V. Day "Good Guy" Award during the organization's 92nd Annual National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday. The award presentation came during the annual Past Department Commander's Club luncheon.

In addition to his many well-received and profitable revisions to Major League Baseball, Selig is active in Milwaukee in many humanitarian causes and community projects.
"I've often said that baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities, and I hope that the last 18 years as commissioner and the 25 years before that as the owner of the Milwaukee Brewers, that that's always been exhibited," Selig said. "The values of America and the values of baseball are really intertwined. You could fill a 25-man roster with the values that bind our nation with the national pastime. It's the thing I'm proudest of, frankly, in being in baseball."

Selig praised The American Legion for its commitment to youth through American Legion Baseball. In place since 1925, the program is the Legion's largest youth program and has produced more than 50 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees. Selig himself has a connection to Legion Baseball: 60 years ago, Selig's father was involved with a Legion team that included Harvey Keen, a former MLB standout player and manager.

"I'm not only grateful for this honor; I'm grateful for what The American Legion does for baseball," Selig said. "You have made it possible for hundreds of thousands of players and nearly 5,000 teams to learn these American values through our national pastime. Since the program began 85 years ago, more than 10 million have participated. That's an amazing number - 10 million children.

"No organization embodies patriotism more than The American Legion. No organization loves America more than The American Legion, and I am very deeply touched to receive this recognition. You're the people who have put yourselves above your own selfish interests to do great and wonderful work - work that sustains our society."

The James V. Day Good Guy Award is named after a World War II veteran and prominent Legionnaire. Recent recipients include performer Dolly Parton, former MLB player Rick Monday and former NBA star and U.S. Naval Academy graduate David Robinson.

World Series

Oklahoma 'Outlaws' win World Series

Cameran Erny | The American Legion - August 18, 2010

 

 American Legion World Series champions: Midwest City, Okla., "Outlaws".

Photo by Erin Walsh

 

 

Midwest City, Okla., “Outlaws” Post 170 defeated Eden Prairie, Minn., 11-6 and 10-1 in a doubleheader Tuesday evening to capture The American Legion World Series championship in Spokane, Wash., at Avista Stadium.

During Game 14, Midwest City’s Josh Halbert jumpstarted the Outlaw offense by stealing home to cap a three-run second inning that broke a 1-1 tie in the opener. He then delivered in the seventh inning with a three-run homer to seal an 11-6 win over Eden Prairie, giving the undefeated team its first loss of the tournament and forcing Game 15.

Batting first in Game 15, Midwest City rallied in the opening inning with a two-run home run from Greg Nelson. The Outlaw players followed suit, as they kept swiping bags to keep adding to their lead. Heading into the sixth inning, Midwest City led 5-0 and advanced three more runs as Nelson stole home, while two RBIs were notched by Larry Head and Josh Halbert.

The seventh inning brought three straight outs for Midwest City, but Eden Prairie got on the scoreboard with an RBI from David Belusky. However, that was the one and only point for Eden Prairie, as Midwest City kept rolling.

The Outlaws tackled the eighth inning with two RBIs. Then, in the ninth, they got a lights out performance from closer Dalton Bernardi, who threw three straight strikeouts to put the finishing touches on a 10-1 victory and more importantly, the 2010 American Legion World Series title, which was captured in front of more than 600 fans.

“Winning the Legion World Series has been on my ‘bucket list,’” said Midwest City manager Doug Weese. “We lost our top player, J.T. Realmuto, the last day of regionals when he signed a contract with the Florida Marlins. But those kids said, ‘We are still going to win (the World Series) anyway, coach.’ And they did, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Midwest City showed no fear in both games, stealing 13 bases, including home four times, which helped the team set a record. Midwest City’s sweep marked the first time since 1985 in a Legion World Series final that a team out of the loser’s bracket won two games on the championship day.

The record-setting performance came as no surprise to the Outlaws, who constantly displayed their desire to bring home the World Series trophy. Inscribed in the sand in front of their dugout was the Outlaws’ symbol. The players and coaches eyed it throughout the two games because they never rested on the bench; they were always standing on the dugout steps, cheering. 

Overall, they prided themselves on being a group of well-mannered young men who were ready to play from the moment they stepped off the plane, dressed in polos and khakis with a token in hand — their gloves.

“We wore the attire as a matter of pride for baseball, respect for the game, and Outlaws are known for being on queue with everything we do,” Dakota Andrews said. “We just wanted to come out and show everybody what we are made of.”

Before the two World Series championship games, Midwest City (66-10) was second in batting average (.382) and second in defense (.964 fielding percentage). Eden Prairie (39-9) was third in batting average (.346) and first in defense (.980 fielding percentage).

“We pride ourselves on defense, and we didn’t have it today,” said Eden Prairie manager Scott Hackett. “They (Midwest City) executed and we didn’t.”

But Eden Prairie did capitalize on defense the first time it played Midwest City on Day 2 of the tournament, defending the lead for nine innings to take a 9-6 win.

“We kind of hit a slow spot against Eden Prairie the first time,” said Chris Mullins, Midwest City’s starting pitcher in Game 14. “But we knew when we play ‘Outlaw baseball’ that it’s an easy win for us and that’s what we did, and we came through and I couldn’t ask for more from this team. And winning the Legion World Series is crazy — I can’t even think straight right now.”

Once the champions’ excitement settled, the award ceremony commenced. Eden Prairie and Midwest City players received medals, trophies and World Series banners. A few notable individual awards were also given.

Eden Prairie shortstop Blake Schmit won the 2010 James Daniel Jr. Sportsmanship Award. After regionals and the World Series, Schmit batted .431 and earned 22 hits and 12 RBIs.

The Most Valuable Player award went to Midwest City right fielder Dalton Bernardi, who ended with a .420 batting average, 21 hits and 15 RBIs.

“It feels good to win the MVP award and the World Series, but I couldn’t do it without my teammates - I give all the credit to them,” Bernardi said.

All 15 games of The American Legion World Series were aired live on the Legion’s Web site. The number of Internet viewers who tuned in soared this year, tripling the online viewership amount from 2009. By the end of Game 15, the Legion World Series had more than 101,000 unique viewers worldwide and 3 million play minutes watched.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

The Oklahoman
Oklahoma Outlaws win American Legion World Series championship

 By Howie Stalwick, Special Correspondent   
August 18, 2010

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Leave it to a bunch of Outlaws to steal the American Legion World Series championship.

The Oklahoma Outlaws racked up 14 stolen bases, including three steals of home, and swept Eden Prairie, Minn., 11-6 and 10-1 Tuesday night at Avista Stadium.

The Outlaws (66-10), based in Midwest City, had to beat the Minnesota squad twice to claim the title. Eden Prairie (39-9), a 9-6 winner over Oklahoma on Saturday, was 4-0 at the 19-and-under tournament until the final day.

Oklahoma pitcher-right fielder Dalton Bernardi was voted Most Valuable Player.
Bernardi went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs in the final, and he closed the game with 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief. Bernardi was mobbed by teammates near the mound after he struck out the side in the ninth before an estimated 600 toasty fans late Tuesday night at Avista Stadium.

“We came into these two games confident,” said Bernardi, a standout freshman at Rose State (junior) College in Midwest City last spring. “We knew we could get back-to-back wins against those guys.

“We didn’t play very well at all the first game we played them. They threw the same guy (Caleb Phillips) we saw the first time. We knew we could stroke him.”

The Outlaws outhit Eden Prairie 16-5. Tyler Schuman (1-0), who had not pitched since dislocating his right shoulder in the third game of the season in late May, tossed five innings of one-hit, shutout ball to earn the win.

“For him to come in and throw five innings is unbelievable,” veteran Outlaws coach Doug Weese said.

Bernardi, who stole 12 bases in 12 tries at the World Series, was joined on the all-tourney team by four teammates: pitcher Kevin Hill, first baseman Tanner Hessman, third baseman Josh Halbert and left fielder Turner Coon.

Greg Nelson keyed the Outlaws’ offense in the title game. The second baseman went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, including a two-run homer in the first inning and an RBI double in the eighth.

“Dalton, him and Nelson are the heart and soul of this team right now,” Weese said.
Chris Mullins (16-1), who lost to Eden Prairie on Saturday, won the opener Tuesday. Halbert had a straight steal of home, one of nine Oklahoma steals in the game, and hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning.

The Outlaws lost an outstanding athlete, J.T. Realmuto, when the third-round draft pick signed with Florida after helping Oklahoma win the Mid-South Region to qualify for the World Series.

“The kids said, ‘We’re going to win, anyway, Coach,’” Weese recalled. “I said, ‘You know what? I believe you.’”

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY:


Monday, August 16: 
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 loser, 7 p.m.


Game 13: Winners Games 10 and 11, about 10 p.m.


Tuesday, August 17:
Game 14: Winners Games 12 and 13, 7 p.m.


Game 15: if necessary, about 10 p.m.

Click here to watch Legion baseball streamed live.


Another of The American Legion's great youth programs.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

Field set for Legion World Series
The American Legion - August 10, 2010

The eight-team field for the 2010 American Legion Baseball World Series is set.

The World Series opening ceremony begins Aug. 13 in Spokane, Wash., at Avista Stadium, where Jill Druskis, the Legion's Americanism/Children & Youth director, will throw out the first pitch.

The following are the eight American Legion World Series teams.
 
Northeast Division - Branford, Conn.; sponsored by American Legion Post 83.
 
Southeast Division - Kernersville, N.C.; sponsored by Loflin Concrete.
 
Central Plains Division - Eden Prairie, Minn.; sponsored by Eden Prairie Baseball Association.

Northwest Division - Roseburg, Ore., "Doc Stewarts;" sponsored by Post 16.

Mid-Atlantic Division - Chesapeake, Va.; sponsored by Great Bridge Post 280.

Great Lakes Division - Moline, Ill.; sponsored by Post 246.

Mid-South Division - Midwest City, Okla., "Outlaws;" sponsored by Post 17.0

Western Division - Las Vegas, "Lions Legion Baseball Club-Gold;" sponsored by Nevada

Youth Baseball Association and BMI Post 40.

Follow the 2010 Legion World Series teams in action Aug. 13-17 by visiting the Legion's Baseball site, where all 14 games will be streamed live. The first game gets under way live at 1 p.m. (EST).

Former Major League Baseball All-Star Jeff Kent will be among the announcers, along with longtime Legion Baseball supporter Jim Darby. Special visits from past Major League greats and American Legion National Commander Clarence Hill of Florida are also scheduled during the webcast.

The American Legion Web site will also have box scores, statistics, interviews and photos from the tournament.

BASEBALL WEB-CASTS

August 10, 2010

2010 American Legion Baseball World Series to be streamed live on Web site

SPOKANE, Wash. – All 14 games of The American Legion Baseball World Series will be streamed live on www.legion.org/baseball throughout the eight-team tournament at Avista Stadium in Spokane, Wash., Aug. 13-17. Action starts Friday at 1 p.m. EST.
Former Major League Baseball All-Star Jeff Kent will be among the announcers, along with longtime Legion Baseball supporter Jim Darby. Special visits from past Major League greats and American Legion National Commander Clarence Hill of Florida are also scheduled during the webcast.
The American Legion Web site will also have box scores, statistics, interviews and photos from the tournament.
The following are the eight 2010 American Legion World Series teams:

Northeast Division—Branford, Conn.; 
sponsored by American Legion Post 83
 
Southeast Division—Kernersville, N.C.; 
sponsored by Loflin Concrete
 
Central Plains Division—Eden Prairie, Minn.; 
sponsored by Eden Prairie Baseball Association
 
Northwest Division—Roseburg, Ore., “Doc Stewarts;” sponsored by Post 16
 
Mid-Atlantic Division—Chesapeake, Va.; 
sponsored by Great Bridge Post 280
 
Great Lakes Division—Moline, Ill.; 
sponsored by Post 246
 
Mid-South Division—Midwest City, Okla., “Outlaws;” sponsored by Post 170
 
Western Division—Las Vegas, “Lions Legion Baseball Club-Gold;” 
sponsored by Nevada Youth Baseball Association and BMI Post 40

Last year’s World Series in Fargo, N.D., marked the Legion’s first-ever live streaming of games, and all expectations were exceeded as the webcast attracted nearly 19,000 unique visitors from 15 different countries. Altogether, more than 42,000 visitors tuned in to www.legion.org to see who would claim the championship title, watching a total of 2.4 million minutes of play and averaging more than 30 minutes per viewing session.

WORLD SERIES LOGO

Vote for Shelby World Series logo
The American Legion - July 8, 2010

Now that Shelby, N.C., is the official site for The American Legion Baseball World Series, steps have been taken to announce this milestone in Legion baseball history. Shelby's World Series Committee has created a survey that features the design of four logos, but there can only be one winner. In order to make a final selection, they need feedback from Legion baseball fans.
Cast a vote by clicking here. The deadline to vote is July 31.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

Montana player pitches a no-hitter

The American Legion - June 30, 2010

 

 

Kalispell Lakers' pitcher Joe Pistorese, 17, pitches in the first inning of his perfect game against the Glacier Twins in an AA American Legion Baseball game in Whitefish, Mont. Photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon

 

On May 25, 2010, the Montana Kalispell Lakers American Legion Baseball team kicked off the Western AA Conference season with a game against the local Glacier Twins. At the start of the game, Joe Pistorese, a 17-year-old pitcher for the Kalispell Lakers, stood on the pitching mound with one goal in sight — a win. But what Pistorese didn’t foresee was that he would be walking off the field with sweat-drenched clothes due to achieving his second no-hitter.

“I knew I was doing my job well, and I was focused on getting the win more than anything,” Pistorese said. “It felt great when I threw the last pitch to end the game, but I didn’t realize what I had done until I looked over at my coaches (Carl Hennell and Ryan Malmin) who were running the field with a cooler to dump on me.”

Pistorese pitched his first no-hitter last summer during his second season with the Kalispell Lakers — a rare success which the left-handed pitcher attributes to studying his competitors batting stance.

“Because I’ve grown up with most of the players, and I know how they bat, I’m always pretty confident with my pitching,” Pistorese said.

However, Pistorese’s confidence was tested during the bottom of the eighth inning with only one out. As a Glacier Twins player was at bat, the opposing team’s commentator announced to the crowd that Pistorese was pitching a perfect game. Immediately following the disruptive call, 

Pistorese pitched three straight balls to the batter. But he wasn’t going to let the commentator jinx his pitching. Pistorese took a walk around the mound to clear his head and then fired three straight strikes.

“I couldn’t believe he (the commentator) did that,” Pistorese said. “After the game when I was being interviewed by the radio, I looked back at him when I was asked if anybody was talking about it (pitching a perfect game) in the dugout. Everybody in baseball knows you don’t talk about something like that when it’s happening.”

The nine-inning game consisted of Pistorese pitching a mixture of 80-mph fastballs and curveballs, allowing zero hits, walks and errors. “His curveball was my favorite pitch to call,” said Zach Brosten, a catcher for the Kalispell Lakers.

“He kept it low and it had a sharp break, and he threw it for strikes. It was nasty.”

As a result of Pistorese’s perfect pitching and his teammates great defense, the Kalispell Lakers defeated the Glacier Twins 8-0.

“I like the competition of Legion baseball,” he said. “I love my coaches as they treat me like a friend; it’s just a lot of fun.”
 

AMERICANISM & CHILDREN & YOUTH

Americanism and Children & Youth
Weekly Report to the National Commander
March 4, 2010
Bill Pease, Director – (317) 630-1203

Junior Shooting Sports
20th annual Junior Air Rifle National Championship -- Unofficial qualification round individual and team results will be posted on the Civilian Marksmanship Program Competition Tracker Web Pages @ http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=5060
(Individual) or 
 http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=5062 (Team). 

Oratorical Contest
As of March 2, the names of twenty-six department winners have been submitted.  The remainder of the department finals will be held this coming weekend.

American Legion Child Welfare Foundation
Donations to the Child Welfare Foundation from June 1, 2009 to March 4, 2010 total $347,873.91.  Since 1955, the Child Welfare Foundation has awarded over $10 million in grants to benefit children. 
Across the nation we have volunteers working as advocates for the Foundation.  These volunteers are members of the Children’s Action Team or “CATs.” 
To communicate with our “CATs” and to share their success stories the Foundation sends out an enewsletter.  To receive this e-newsletter or sign up as a Children’s Action Team Member contact Bob Caudell or JoEllen Gazvoda at 317-630-1202 or rcaudell@legion.org.

Baseball Program
On line registration has topped 2,000 teams.
World Series permanent site committee will consist of four people – PNC Dave Rehbein; NEC Rich Anderson; Larry Price, Baseball Subcommittee Chairman; and John Hayes, Americanism Commission member (and 25 year Legion coach).  Jim Quinlan will serve as staff liaison. Site visits will take place the latter part of March.
This year’s World Series inspection trip to Spokane, Washington will be held April 24 - 26.

ONLINE BASEBALL REGISTRATION

Online baseball registration a big hit

Online registration for the 2010 American Legion Baseball season opened Jan. 1, and since then more than 800 teams have successfully completed the application process within minutes and without a hitch. Coaches are embracing the new system, as it allows them to focus more on starting the season and less on mailing in paperwork.

One Legionnaire, who has been a coach for more than 25 years and laughingly recalls the days when he used a typewriter to fill out the application, found the new system to be a one-stop shop.

"Filling out the application online was quick and easy, the information requested was basic, and I heard back within a day that my application was accepted," said John Hayes, member of and coach for Wayne Newton Post 346 in Terre Haute, Ind. "Plus, the convenience of paying all fees online saved me the hassle of mailing multiple checks. Overall, everything I needed to register my team was available [on the American Legion Baseball Web site]."

Likewise, feedback from numerous other coaches regarding online registration has been positive, as many notice the value of the new system - a smoother application process and a stronger communication line between players and fans.

If you are experiencing any difficulties registering your team online, please e-mail baseball@legion.org.

American Legion Baseball

BASEBALL REGISTRATION CHANGES

American Legion Baseball is going to electronic registration starting Jan. 1, 2010. You will no longer be able to register your teams directly with Department HQ. All fees and insurance payments will be made on the National website using a credit card only. The baseball committee has made several changes to the Department rules and they are posted on the Department website.

I know there will be many questions about the new system. Please feel free to email me your questions. Mid - Winter conference is coming up and provides another venue to get questions answered.

Have a great and safe holiday.

bmayf14217@yahoo.com

Bruce Mayfield, Chairman
Department Baseball Committee