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A Brief History
of American Legion Baseball
“In this city on July 17, 1925, by action of the South Dakota Department of The American Legion, the nationwide organization of Legion Junior Baseball was first proposed as a program of service to the youth of America.” Those words are inscribed on a marble monument in the community of Milbank, South Dakota as a reminder of the beginning of this fine Americanism program. The program’s years of existence can be explained best by a portion of that inscription: “A program of service to the youth of America.”
Since its beginning, over ten million young men have played Legion Baseball. American Legion Baseball became a National program by convention action in 1925, and the first National Tournament was held in 1926. Only 16 states were represented in this first year of national operation.
In 1928, Mr. Dan Sowers, the Director of the National Americanism Commission, appeared before the Executive Council of Baseball in Chicago, which agreed to underwrite the national program up to $50,000. With the exception of two years, the Major Leagues have continually supported American Legion Baseball. Major League Baseball continues to make a financial contribution each year. During the 1929 season, every state entered teams into competition.
Nineteen thirty-one marked the first appearance in championship play of a player who was later to become a big-league great. Kirby Higbe hurled a complete game for Columbia, South Carolina, and lost the final game in the 14th inning, 1-0. Ten years later, he was the National League’s top pitcher.
Nineteen-forty and 1941 marked the years that American Legion Baseball became an established national institution for American youth. During the war years, the program was restricted but continued its service to our nation’s youngsters.
The post-war years saw the continued growth of the program and the nation’s realization of the importance of this type of activity for boys of all age groups.
In 1949, the selection of an American Legion Player of the Year was originated. This was arranged through the cooperation of Mr. Robert Quinn, Director of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
The sixties saw the program grow stronger under the leadership of George W. Rulon, Program Coordinator for American Legion Baseball, who held that post from 1961 until 1987. Upon his retirement, The American Legion Player of the Year Award was renamed the George W. Rulon Player of the Year in honor of the late Program Coordinator.
The seventies saw three more national awards established by the National Americanism Commission. The Dr. Irvin L. (Click) Cowger RBI award, Rawlings Big Stick Award, and the Bob Feller pitching awards were established based on players’ statistics in Regional and World Series Tournaments.
In 1982, the National Americanism Commission adopted the eight-site, eight team, double elimination Regional Tournament format. Sixty-four of the best teams in the country begin National competition at the Regionals.
In1998, The American Legion established a national baseball scholarship. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded to each participating Department. A total of $116,000 is awarded over the past few years to outstanding American Legion Baseball players based upon leadership, character, scholarship and financial need.
The Quaker Oats Company, makers of Gatorade® annually contributes $10,000 towards scholarships to help us honor Eight Regional Players of the Year as well as The American Legion Player of the Year. Over 97,000 players, ages 15 to 19, participated in 2008.
Since 1925 over 10 million young people have played American Legion Baseball. Since 1985, over 1,900 new teams have registered to play American Legion Baseball. Local American Legion Posts also support and sponsor some 2,500 younger-age teams who are registered with Little League, Babe Ruth, Pony, Dixie as well as many other youth sports teams such as soccer, bowling, hockey, etc.
On an average, 52 percent of Major League Baseball players played American Legion Baseball as teenagers. Nearly 75 percent of all college players played American Legion Baseball as teenagers. Over 50 American Legion Baseball graduates have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Since 1926, Major League Baseball has honored The American Legion World Series Champions at the Major League World Series. The Commissioner’s Office annually presents a plaque to The American Legion champions on the field at The Major League World Series. The 2008 National Championship team, from Las Vegas attended the Major League Baseball world Series and was presented the Commissioner’s Award by Jimmy Lee Solomon, Sr. Vice President of Major League Baseball. This season marks the 82nd Anniversary of competition in the program. Its purpose continues to be in 2009 the same as was in 1925, “An investment in America’s Youth.” The history of American Legion Baseball has proven that America’s youth receive on the baseball diamond a thorough
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