American Legion Baseball is one of the most successful and tradition-rich amateur athletic leagues in America. The program got its start in Milbank, South Dakota on July 17, 1925, by action of the South Dakota Department of The American Legion. It was expanded nationally later that year, and the first national tournament (involving teams from 16 states) was held in 1926. Today, the program registers more than 5,400 teams in all 50 United States, including Canada and Puerto Rico. Through the years, more than 10 million young men have played on American Legion teams. Nationally, American Legion Baseball is divided into eight regions, each with numerous state programs. Each region holds an annual tournament, with the tournament winner advancing to the American Legion Baseball World Series in Shelby, North Carolina.
Here are some former Legion baseball players that you may recognize.
Madison Bumgarner, Mark Teixeira, Albert Pujols, Justin Verlander, Brian Wilson, Chipper Jones, Mo Vaughn, Greg Maddox, Tony Gwynn, Harold Reynolds, George Brett, Carlton Fisk, Johnny Bench, Carl Yastremski, Frank Robinson, Stan Musial, Ted Williams and George “Sparky” Anderson, to name a few.
Madison Bumgarner, Mark Teixeira, Albert Pujols, Justin Verlander, Brian Wilson, Chipper Jones, Mo Vaughn, Greg Maddox, Tony Gwynn, Harold Reynolds, George Brett, Carlton Fisk, Johnny Bench, Carl Yastremski, Frank Robinson, Stan Musial, Ted Williams and George “Sparky” Anderson, to name a few.
