Want to save American Legion Baseball? Not me

[Alpharetta]

American Legion Baseball is a tradition for high school kids to get extra field time between high school seasons. It's advertised as less intense and less expensive than "travel teams".

True, "travel teams" get more college scouts. If your son has a borderline shot at a college scholarship, he's more likely to be noticed if he plays on a high profile travel team.

For the rest of the kids, American Legion baseball is a low cost way to keep playing, get some visibility, and maybe hold down a summer job too.

But American Legion baseball is on the decline. Talent is draining to the travel teams as more parents are willing to make the investment.

My dad's a vet. My brother's a vet. My brother in law is on his 2nd trip in Iraq. My sister's a vet. My other sister's a vet. Do I support vets? Sure.

So why would I choose not to support American Legion baseball? Because the American Legion is a bunch of rightwing narrow-minded fools who want to squelch anti-war demonstrations, that's why.

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American Legion Declares War on Protestors -- Media Next?

By E&P Staff

Published: August 24, 2005 4:20 PM ET

NEW YORK The American Legion, which has 2.7 million members, has declared war on antiwar protestors, and the media could be next. Speaking at its national convention in Honolulu, the group's national commander called for an end to all “public protests” and “media events” against the war.

more at: http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001020671
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My kids play travel ball. They're on allstars. One is obviously on track for college baseball. Will I let them play American Legion ball? Hell no. Screw that.

[tives12]

1. I've been playing all my life.

But I have never played Legion. It used to be good until people realized that the other teams offer better competition. Anybody can play Legion.

[Alpharetta]

4. Yeah, I know. Legion ball is not very exclusive.

Still, they're just screwing themselves by acting like they do.

It's just like Boy Scouts. We were at the decision point to sign up for Boy Scouts a few years ago. What made the decision for us? Ollie North as the speaker of "honor" at the Georgia Scout Jamboree.

[tabasco]

2. This type of leadership will hurt the Legion ....

just like it has hurt the USA.

I stopped sending the Legion my $20 a long time ago, after being a member for a few years. Now it seems they want to exclude people like me, a combat vet that believes in the Bill of Rights and is against the Iraq war. So I will never be interested in joining again.

[Alpharetta]

3. Virginia American Legion losing talent -- boo hoo

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/26/AR2005072601887.html

Legion coaches were accustomed to having their pick of players. Now they feel as if their talent pool has been drained and Legion's prestige has been usurped. "You really have to fight for them to get the players nowadays," said Vienna Post 180 Coach Burt Crump, in his 28th season.

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Tough.

[Upfront]

5. Quit The leagon

I quit the leagon a few years ago for these same reasons. Right wing, big time, screw um!