Just heard tonight Mt. Airy Gold Star Post will not be fielding a legion team this season. A shakeup within the Legion Post leadership has resulted in a new philosophy on funding things like "summer baseball". I am told the new regime wanted to charge the players money to participate, no longer allow use of the post bus for team travel, no longer allow the coaches to groom the field, etc... I heard the coaching staff / management just didn't want to deal with all the changes (and no doubt other changes that will magically pop up from time to time), so the best solution for everyone is to make the decision ASAP so the players can find other teams to play for.
If what I have heard is true, I am shocked. George Richardson and his coaches have done a fantastic job of representing that American Legion Post for many years. The teams are always well coached, the players play hard, and they certainly bring home their share of league titles. Not to mention they are mostly self-sufficient through fund raising (using of course the Legion name/facilities for their efforts).
I can't imagine these new restrictions were made by people who understand the impact on community pride a successful baseball program like this can have.
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