Legion Baseball

I agree 100% with you homerun4. Ijames built the program and Starbuck and Sparrow had some unbelievable teams as recently as the mid 90's. They were finding it difficult to even secure a field to play on from year to year after Ijames and the Post had their falling out. The mess that Sparrow got into only made matters worse. Politics have put it where it's at right now. It may rebound now under Plaster but it will be really difficult to win back what little community support they had to begin with and by then I'm afraid the good players will be opting for something else which has already begun to happen now that Kernersville has their own Southern Collegiate team and several other local options right here in between Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point. I hope it does rebound, I'm definitely not a Legion-basher but I do agree with NCBBallFan.. I think Legion, as a whole, may have to adjust their format to address the so many other options during the summer and more importantly the growing attitude among college coaches that showcases are the cheapest and most effective way to scout.

 

I really like the brand of ball played in legion. It's the best summer baseball around for just flat "having fun" and seeing great competition.

But it still needs to look at itself very hard. Particularly in baseball, traditions die hard, but, as in any business, you have to continue to "re-invent" yourself and adapt to a changing environment to remain competitive.

At one point in time, Legion was just a step below Single-A. Those days are long gone. I don't know if they can be recovered. I would like to see multi-team "mini-tournaments" played over weekends at a college campus. That increased exposure may help. I would also like to see the return of the old "down-town" Legion field that has disappeared from so many places and small towns as a place for everyone to come watch the "boys".

 

There will be NO Mint Hill Legion team this summer as of Monday, 3/17/03.

 

Southloop, It is not a done deal yet. I talked to Howard yesterday and he is still working to get a deal done. His biggest sticking point right now is a field to play on. Seems like the baseball politics continue right on through summer. He also proposed to the Legion powers-to-be that he be allowed to field a homeless Legion team. They nixed that idea. But he is still working on a field. Don't count him out yet.

 

Gonzo:

It may be a done deal soon if Howard can't come up with a solution and decide what's going on soon. Yes, and I know that the biggest sticking point is that the Butler and Independence fields are not available for the Mint Hill Legion team but...Mint Hill's Legion players are looking to sign up elsewhere as we speak so...if Howard doesn't come up with a plan very, very, soon, his next issue will be players as most will be committed elsewhere! Not counting Howard out but...just what I heard?!?

 

With the increase in the age limit for legion should have also come an increase in minimum age. We have rising sophmores playing on our local legion team every year. They will provide a lot of competition for rising college sophmores It should be a league for graduated seniors and 1st year college players if they want to improve the level of competition. With the expanded areas this may be accomplished. The younger kids that wish to play college baseball have to do the tournament play and showcases. There is no exposure for them in legion baseball. But I agree with our "astute" previous poster that until legion becomes a little mor flexible with some of their rules they will flounder in mediocrity.

 

Maybe Junior Legion should adopt a showcase format?????

Just an Idea.

 

some areas have to play hs sophmores because they don't draw enough seniors and college kids...if you take the seniors away they don't have enough players for a junior legion team and if you take the sophmores away they don't have enough for an "A" team.. some areas have nothing for kids after little league and not all parents can afford a 3 day tourney in a distant town in a motel or the high cost of player fees...our local legion post only has 3 active members but parents want a ball team...if they have to go to next nearest town to play they often do not get favorable treatment and getting a release is as hard as stopping pop-ups on the internet.

perhaps American Legion Baseball should go to wood bats to try to generate more interest.....

 

WOOD BATS !!!! Sounds like a good idea to me. That would be fun to watch and the kids would love it.

 

I'm not sure where the argument about allowing HS sophs to play came from. Caldwell Post 29 had 3 Sophs (rising JRs) in their starting lineup this past summer. It didn't seem to hurt them too much.