American Legion Faces... Challenges to Survive...

It is unfortunate, but legion seems to be dying in the St Louis area. It seems there are two outlying cities that have stromg programs, because they are just far enough away to not have players drive into St Louis to play travel ball. On of them wins the state tournament about every year.

Back in my day (80's) legion was pretty much the only game in town, and consisted of only the top players from the high school. Then in the late 80's a competing league started, then in the mid 90"s, the travel thing started. Now if you want to get noticed, you dont play legion because no scouts go to those games.

My son and I have had a lot of talks about how great the local legion team would be if all the kids would not play travel and play legion. But it will never happen.

Interesting take on the all-star voting maybe weeding out players. We dont have "little league" around here, so there was never voting for all star team.

Do you think it is because Legion never changes or adapts? It seems like they are just starting to even acknowledge that there are other options out there, been sitting back fat and happy for so long. The product isn't that good, it hasn't improved...ever. Regional Tournament is pretty sweet though, that's going on at Old Orchard Beach now.

Don't get me wrong I'm a huge Legion supporter.

If I were to have a hunch, I would say that Legion does better in areas where there is a geographically-defined hierarchy of baseball from youth through adulthood. In particular I think of areas with strong town-ball traditions--you play for your HS, Legion in the summer, graduate, go play college, and still play for your town team in between school years and for a bit after. In the Upper Midwest, at least, travel ball is secondary to Legion; whether it is for the premise that I stated above, I don't know, but it is my guess.

quote:

Originally posted by SMAN14:
Do you think it is because Legion never changes or adapts?

What is it they are failing to change or adapt to? They have changed their age requirments, they have changed their bat rules, they have changed their collision/MC rules, they now allow coaches to be paid, they have added, in some states, a third league giving them, basically, 19U, 17U and 15U.

There's more, but I'd like to hear what you are looking for.

One big change would be to have week day only games, allowing those players on showcase teams to travel on the weekends. Legion needs to acknowledge, in most areas it does not provide the exposure most players need to move on to college ball. Also, allow more rostered players as pitchers only to protect those arms.

CF,
Going this route would create two possible issues...

1. - better pitchers (that travel on weekends) wouldn't pitch for Legion team, except maybe Wednesdays, to assure they're properly rested for their travel tourneys. Result - watered down product for Legion.

or 2. - Both entities try to use the best pitchers, jeopardizing health of those pitchers' arms.

It's always a challenge when players (particularly pitchers) try to juggle two teams during simultaneous seasons. And it is often very difficult for the teams to handle this with the best interest of the players' well being in mind.

cabbagedad:

Good point pitching would be watered down, as there never enough good pitchers. As far as entities jeopardizing the arms, i would hope at this age the pitcher is educated enough to manage innings pitched.

quote:

Originally posted by cabbagedad:
It's always a challenge when players (particularly pitchers) try to juggle two teams during simultaneous seasons. And it is often very difficult for the teams to handle this with the best interest of the players' well being in mind.

This is true, cabbagedad. If I may have liberty to re-word your statement a little, I'll add:

"And it is often very difficult for the coaches to handle this with the best interest of both teams' well being in mind."

Here, the coach from the 'other team', with a 10-game lead in the league, used the Legion team's best pitcher the night before regionals began, rendering the Legion's best pitcher unavailable for the tournament.

The pitcher made it very clear; he wanted to pitch for the Legion team. The 'other coach' made it very clear; he didn't give a (bad word).