Legion Baseball

Legion Ball

American Legion has traditionally been what you do in the summer, especially in certain areas. Unfortunately, politics, shrinking budgets of local posts and the strong emergence of showcase teams have severely hampered the lure that Legion once had.

Locally, Kernersville Post 36 up until a few years ago was THE only option for the best players around. Post 36, pulling from East Forsyth and Glenn, has an unbelievable history with outstanding players and coaches. Someone described AAU/Showcase ball as "Pay for Play," which is true, but unless you have a huge post, legion players/parents must raise money as well. That was the final nail which caused Post 36 to actually have to shut down its baseball program until a couple years ago and it is obviously not anywhere near where it was and will probably never be after restarting.

It is not a matter of whether you like Legion or like Showcase teams, it is a matter of what is best for the player in regards to exposure. It is not "daddy ball." Just refer to the interview given by Elon coach, Austin Alexander on the board. Coaches and scouts are going to go where the talent is most abundant and talent is going to go where coaches and scouts are most abundant. Baseball, above all sports, is very tradition-based and I agree that no AAU or Showcase tournament I've ever been to rivals the genuine baseball feel that Legion games have historically had and the atmosphere at places such as Rowan County can't be matched by most major colleges. Legion teams are a community team and showcase teams are far less personal.

With all that said, there is a transition going on and players can not be expected to play Legion because of tradition. I hope there is some way Legion ball can be saved. I realize that it still thrives in certain areas but the competition is shrinking every year and something is going to have to be done. I am not sure how Legion rules address this, but maybe legion teams can get into more tournament play rather than all league play. It's a tough situation but I've seen the best of both Legion and AAU/Showcase, and as we all know to be all too true, players must have some reason other than tradition to play with anyone.

 

Again this question comes us. Will Mint Hill have a Legion team this summer or not? Questions have been raised again this weekend to whether the Mint Hill Legion team has a sponsor and a coach for this summer. It has been heard that Mint Hill has again lost their sponsor and coach for the summer. Any one know anything?

 

Sorry Sabrefan, I thought this would be answered by now. If you beat me to it, I'm sure Coach Rummage of Pineville post will know. He keeps up to date info on what's happening in Charlotte Legion ball

 

Mint Hill Legion

Southloop posted the answer to this:

 

Legion needs to adapt, and the process has started. Two changes will add to the level of competition. The first is the age change, we've all mentioned. The second is the recruiting area being enlarged.

These two changes will make legion teams more competitive, but not (necessarily) more attractive. The basic underlying structure of the legion schedule needs to change.

To be competitive, you have to build a structure that doesn't compete with showcase events but instead encourages individual competition. The coaches in Legion need to be sensitive to players going to these events and allow that without becoming defensive or punishing the player. The time when you have to get the Legion Post Commanders permission to go to a Major League Tryout needs to cease immediately. Both of these are designed to increase the coaches POWER over the player, not advance the player in any manner.

Before you play legion, have a meeting with the coach. If he will cooperate with appearances in Showcases and aid in a players exposure, he's the kind of coach you want to play for. Together, you can have a great experience and instruction. If he insists that you don't need to do anything but play for him, avoid that coach. He is not in it for the player or his future. He is in it for himself.

 

Yes, Southloop answered the Mint Hill Legion team question way back but it was heard his past weekend that Mint Hill's coach and sponsor was just lost this past weekend. I just wanted to know if this was true or not as there would be good players that usually play on the Mint Hill Legion team that could be used on other teams in the Charlotte area this summer.

 

They may currently be off-limits. The question is "is that right?". It's a change that should be considered. It needs to be addressed if Legion ball wants to attract the best players back into the fold.

The very nature of the 9 inning legion game does not lend itself to having multiple games played at a common site, like is present in other formats. Legion ball needs to work hard to make itself compatible to the needs of the player. Without changes, it will continue to diminish.

 

Participation runs much deeper in some communities. For example, Cherryville and Shelby's legion teams have an unwritten rule that says "if you participate in the State Games you can't play on our team". These Legion teams will not allow the kids to be nominated for the State Games. I know of two players in Gaston County who were not allowed to return to the Legion team after one went to the beach (after graduation) and the other was chosen to be a captain of his varsity football team (a rising senior) who was told that he could not attend a two day summer football camp with his high school team. He decided his job as a team captain was more important.

 

that is the reason teams like rowan, shelby, caldwell county, cherryville are so succesful kids must realize what they want to do in the summer play baseball or go to football camps beach or play aau. legion is a summer of baseball. hey caroliner as far as kernersville they had a great legion program but no backing from there post or community. Dale ijames run every thing by himself when he started the program. then the sparrow ordeal did not help that program along either.look for this team to pick up. the program just need a little backing from that community.

 

"...legion is a summer of baseball".

I think that's part of the problem. For most teams, those that don't advance thru the state palyoffs, it's only a month of baseball. Many players are looking for opportunities to continue participating at a high level of competition and when the Legion's regular season is over, for most players, that's it. With other programs, the players may stop playing tournaments for a couple of weeks when school starts, but Labor Day weekend they are going again, 'til November. MHO.