Legion ball...What Legion ball?

My take on this.

One Putt I am not try to argue with you. I have nothing against Legion baseball I played it and enjoyed it. We just dont have that option here.

As far as going to a much weaker academic school to play baseball vs going to an academic school and not playing I really dont understand this point. There are D-2 D-3 and JUCO's in NC that offer and outstanding education. And they have outstanding baseball programs. I do not believe you have to go to a top tier academic school to ensure you will not be in the bread line. Its not as much where you are but what you do where you are. If a kid wants to play baseball in college but only if he can go to a strong academic school there are plenty of options at all levels. D-2 Lenoir Rhyne D-3 NC Wesleyan. I could name a whole lot more. If you would rather go to a big school such as UNC or NC State etc and that is more important than playing baseball at a smaller school then thats fine. When a kid plays showcase baseball he doesnt say "Dont recruit me unless your D-1 and a top academic school". He is saying "Recruit me I want to play college baseball at the highest level I can." I have had kids that could play at the D-3 level but they wanted to go to ECU more than extend their baseball careers at a smaller school. Thats fine with me. But there are kids that want to play baseball at the next level and that is more important to them than going to a bigger school. I do not for one minute believe that you can not get an outstanding education at a smaller school. And I do not believe that going to a stronger academic college ensures you of having a better life after college than someone that does not. How do you apply yourself in college? What is your field of work? What type of person are you? What kind of work ethic do you have? I honestly can not name one college that I would deem as a weaker academic school. Weak students that dont apply themselves? Yes. To some kids baseball is so important that they will do anything to continue to have the opportunity to play if four more years. It is actually the driving force that gets them up in the morning to stay elgible for HS. And if it is the driving force for them to go to college and stay elgible in college and get them a degree Im all for it. Even if it is a weaker academic school its better than no school.

 

I see One Putt fighting the good fight.

Legion vs. Showcase is one of those battles that will be fought forever. And no matter which side you are on, or even if you are in the middle it seems there little room where people agree.

I have no dog in the fight. No kids playing ball. From a fan perspective I have only watched Legion ball. A few years ago when Greensboro had a team I was hooked. They made a run to the state tourney and I was treated to some great ball games by many kids that are currently playing at the next level.

Unfortunately as One Putt said we no longer have a legion team here. I missed those summer nights at the ball field but I really enjoyed going to the state tourney last year in Thomasville. The competition was top notch. The teams were full of college signees, or freshmen. From a fan perspective it is Legion ball all the way. From a player/parent perspective it should be and always will be a personal choice about what’s right for you.

I do wish that Legion could figure out a way to work out the protest/player participation rules that never seem to be issues until teams are neck deep in the playoffs. It makes it too much about politics and not enough about baseball. I also wish somehow we could get a legion team back in this area. If Ragsdale/SW Guilford could combine into a Jamestown legion team they would be fun to watch and tough to beat.

 

at what point does travel ball become too expensive? many kids are priced out now aren't they?why is there so much more interst in collgege baseball now than 20 years ago?

 

Coach 27, we don't have Legion either. That's my point. I'm not arguing either, nor did I think you were. There's nothing to argue about.

 

Here ya go EOR: This is the best reply I have heard in regards to your question. It is from our own NCBBallfan:

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I have a different take to the problem with American Legion and it’s baseball program, I think American Legion itself is dying. Belonging to the American Legion was a matter of pride, and socially accepted --- even honored --- after WWI, WWII and Korea. Starting with Vietnam and after, the culture in America began changing. The “Greatest Generation”, (the WW2 vets), were the heart and sole of the Legion, but the returning vets from Nam weren’t honored. Instead of returning to recognition for their sacrifices, they were scorned. I know. As the older membership began dying off, many posts began diminishing and there aren't as many new vets coming along to replace their ranks.

Quote:
Flashback: It’s still hot that October day. Warm, muggy … the ship glided into the harbor for a routine fuel stop. Mooring was completed at 09:30. Refueling started an hour later. 50 minutes into the refueling, a small craft approached the port side of the vessel, and an explosion occurred, putting a 40-by-40-foot gash in the port side of the USS Cole.

The conservative American values (baseball, mom and apple pie) so revered in the 50’s and 60’s are now endangered species. Mom is shared between a mom, step-mom, foster mom and baby sitter. Many kids, the only know one grandmother as the single parent family has become commonplace. No one cooks anything, much less apple pie --- baking is a lost art --- better head to Shoney's if you want Apple Pie. It’s not a mainstay of the American diet anymore.

As for baseball, it’s left the inner city. Basketball has more "flash", football is the big money sport and the NCAA seems to hate baseball. Youth follow the sports of their heroes. Their heroes don’t play on a diamond anymore. They glide on a snowboard and talk trash during basketball games.


Quote:
Flashback: What IS a hero? The emphasis has changed nationwide. The service men/women of the generation of the USS Cole and 9/11 don’t think about the American Legion when their service is completed. America hasn’t decided what they think about these men women. Are they heroes? Are they tools of political expediency? Many, like their fathers who served in Vietnam, are just looking to put their past behind them and go on with their lives.

Cultures change over time, so the institutions that serve those cultures must adapt else they deteriorate --- and that is happening to American Legion. It runs the risk of not being relevant anymore in today’s society, because today’s society doesn’t honor their values or sacrifices.

Quote:
The time is today … it’s any campus in America. Political correctness has run amuck and the only thoughts you hear seem to lean “slightly” to the left. (Ok, sometimes, it’s not so slightly). America changed a long time ago. A lingering fear was born August 6th, 1945. In one instant over Hiroshima, a thought springs through everyone’s mind --- “there, but for the grace of God” --- and, born into the American conscious were two thoughts. 1). If other nations don’t like us, it must be our fault. 2). If there are no warriors, there will be no wars. These thoughts aren’t reasonable, aren’t accurate, but they still exist today. The purveyors of these thoughts hold court on most college campuses. Their goal is to change the institutions in America. Their method of change is through the youth of today.

So, the American Legion is in a period of declining membership and declining posts. It’s justifiably proud past is becoming a thing of the past. There isn’t the large core of members who maintain the values of the past. Some posts are thriving --- but the number is diminishing. As the Legion diminishes, its goals must change. What will they need to concentrate on? They have declined from being a major political force in America to an after-thought on the political campaign trail. The change has been gradual, but, unless the culture of America changes, the process will accelerate.

Argue all you want about Legion baseball versus showcase ball. They both have an important place. One's not necessarily better than the other. They are just different. I’m much more concerned about the Legion itself.
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Save the whales. Collect the whole set.

 

- It's not for everyone. Quite frankly, the best players actually pay very little. It's the parents costs of hotels rooms and such that are unbelievable. But there are some teams that the player's cost is "nothing" and some others that are minor. Of course, those are "invited" teams.

- Yes, they are

- I'm not sure that it is. According to many, baseball interest has diminished. But I hope that the college baseball interest will increase to the point that TV revenue increases to the level that college baseball can increase their scholarship limits. Personally, I believe the advent of Showcasing and the internet has brought more attention to the HS players...thus creating more interest in college baseball.

 

i have a friend who is a realtor in a major city in nc. their dues are like $400 per year. he is a big hitter and makes a lot of money and he tell me he wishes their dues would go upt to $10 or 20K and run his comtetition out of the business so he'd have it to himself. to me saying it doesn't cost the player but the family means that's what it costs to play because i don't sdee how you can separate the 2 and the more it costs the less competition there is. at what point is the breaking point is it
$5k per year,$10k,$20k?

 

Legion Ball/ Showcase

Really all this reminds of something my daddy told me when I was about 10 years old. I asked dad why there was so many different types of religion. This is the story I got. He told me about this farmer that had a load of hay that he needed to get to the top of a hill. The farmer looked at three of his friends for advice on how to get the hay to the top of the hill. One friend said he should go straight up the hill and get it done and over with. Another friend said that he should zigzag and take breaks along the way so he would not get worn out.Another friend said the farmer should circle around the hill until he gets to the top.
Now I say this to let you know that all three ways suggested got the desired results. Is there truely a right one, We as parents have to make a decision that is in the best interest of your kid and their particular situation. There is not a right or wrong answer for everyone. Legion is strong where I live, but so is showcase. It all boils down to that particular situation.

 

Thank God I didn't get blamed for it this time, but I will chime in here. Moose made a comment that Legion is losing here in Caldwell County and I could not disagree more. Daniel Coffey chose to play showcase ball last year and this year is playing Legion. Justin Poovey chose to play showcase ball last year and this year is playing legion if his arm work is done in time. Whatever Mr Bumgarner decides to do come summer and fall of next year, I know he has had HUGE legion moments and wouldn't take it away for a second.

My opinion is this and its not a swing at Showcase ball.

One, good players are always found no matter what you play. So anyone that says they play showcase just to get noticed obviously wasn't at the Post 29 and Shelby Post 82 games last year or the Caldwell/Garner state playoff game.

Two, it hurts to lose legion games. I've been a part of Post 29 for 6 years now and I can tell you I didn't sleep after losing not one but two state championship games. And its not about how well you look in front of scouts its about being the best player and team on the field. Its about being able to perform in front of 500 or 1000 or more people either loving every pitch you throw and hating every swing you take and vica versa. No one has ever told me about a showcase rivalry and definately not one on par with Shelby/Caldwell/Cherryville or Rowan/Kannapolis.

Three, I don't know about other parts of the state, but I know that this area knows Post 29s schedule and come out in droves to see these local heroes play. And HONESTLY, they become local heroes because of WJRI and the Lenoir News Topic's coverage of the team.

Finally, its wrong to tell guys they have to pay to play baseball. I would love to know about how much money some families have put into certain showcase program with the false promise of getting a college or pro future. I know Post 29 is almost completely self funded through fund raising and donations. I would suspect Garner, Cherryville, Shelby, Pineville, Kannapolis, Rowan County are too.

So yes, I hate Legion is dying in parts of the state. But I honestly think its from within and not anything showcase ball is doing right. Are the protest rules bizarre to say the least? yes. But so is the balk rule.

 

i stand corrected. did not know when i said that poovey or coffey might play. i didnt expect bumgarner to play. just saw how last year panned out and didnt see why this year would be different but glad to hear there is a chance coffey and poovey will play. with the late starts and distractions last year i was not optimistic. when you come as close as we did last year to a championship and you know you did not have all your community's talent going 100% its hard to accept when you have been a life long fan and supporter. lets just hope for the best and great thanks to all that do play and the great fans that support the caldwell program.