American Legion Baseball

Since 1926, Legion Baseball has been a rich Hoosier tradition to athletically and socially impact the lives of Indiana's youth
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Congratulations to our Legion Baseball, Department Junior State Champions from Liberty, Ind., sponsored by Post 122.

Today, the Legion registers 72,000 youths annually over 4,000 teams in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto ​Rico
American Legion Baseball is a national institution, having thrived through a world war, several national tragedies, and times of great prosperity as well as great despair.

The league still stands behind the traditional values upon which it was founded in 1925. American Legion Baseball has taught hundreds of thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship. 

​The program is also a promoter of equality, making teammates out of young athletes regardless of their income levels or social standings. American Legion Baseball has been, and continues to be, a stepping stone to manhood for millions of young men who have gone on to serve their country or community, raise families or play the sport at the highest level.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE 

Scholarships
1. To inculcate in youth a better understanding of the American way of life and to promote the principles of 100 percent Americanism.

2. To instill in the nation’s youth a sincere desire to develop within themselves a feeling of citizenship, sportsmanship, loyalty and team spirit.

3. To aid in the improvement and development of the physical fitness of our country’s youth. 4. To build for the nation’s future through our youth.
Almost 72,000 youths, ages 15 to 19, participate annually. Since its inception, the league has had 10 million players, and nearly 60 percent of current college players are program graduates. The league annually awards a total of $25,000 - $500 for a player selected from each department based upon leadership, character, scholarship and financial need.  Recently, the Legion passed a resolution allowing corporate sponsorship, in the hope of creating more financial aid for college. Diamond Sports funds $25,000 in scholarships for the Legion Baseball Player of the Year and the eight regional players of the year. Eight players receive a $2,500 scholarship and the "Captain" of the All Academic Team receives $5,000.

65 Percent of Major League Baseball Players are Legion Baseball Graduates.

Hoosier Legion Baseball History 1926-2014
Compiled by Darrell Stephens, Rockport post 254
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Legion Baseball player turned Major League Baseball pro Jeremy Hazelbaker of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run home run in the seventh inning during a game between the Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Hazelbaker played Legion Baseball through Muncie Ind., Post 19. Photo by Chris Lee, Post Dispatch