Originally Posted by RJM:
Swamp ... My debate isn't against how Legion perceives the value of its baseball program. It's with the poster making the claims.
In that case, I shall step aside. 
American Legion Baseball enjoys a reputation as one of the most successful and tradition-rich amateur athletic leagues.
Today, the program registers more than 5,400 teams in all 50 states, including Canada and Puerto Rico.
Legion Baseball teams not registered for insurance by May 15 are subject to a fine payable to the department. In accordance with the 2013 Legion Baseball Rulebook, any team failing to register by June 1, 2013, shall not be permitted to play American Legion Baseball.
http://www.legion.org/baseball...gion-baseball-season
Teams registered as of April 21st:
Alaska (21)
Alabama (15)
Arkansas (38)
Arizona (1)
California (6)
Colorado (32)
Connecticut (135)
Delaware (6)
Florida (8)
Hawaii (8)
Iowa (15)
Idaho (47)
Illinois (64)
Indiana (43)
Kansas (23)
Kentucky (13)
Louisiana (5)
Massachusetts (157)
Maryland (37)
Maine (26)
Michigan (17)
Minnesota (305)
Missouri (120)
Mississippi (7)
Montana (45)
North Carolina (59)
North Dakota (12)
Nebraska (166)
New Hampshire (43)
New Jersey (73)
New Mexico (6)
Nevada (27)
New York (118)
Ohio (36)
Oregon (13)
Pennsylvania (173)
South Carolina (40)
South Dakota (12)
Tennessee (6)
Texas (7)
Virginia (45)
Vermont (17)
Washington (100)
Wisconsin (95)
West Virginia (8)
Wyoming (28)
Pennsylvania went from 360 to 173? Either that's a huge drop, or a whole bunch of teams are late with paperwork.
Legion ball is quikly becoming a thing of the past. Travel teams are taking over in most states. It is interesting to see the # of teams for the states that appear to have less competetive baseball.
Ohio drops from 80 to 36. Some of that is the posts though. We had one post pull their sponsorship for a team after league play had already started.
"Pennsylvania went from 360 to 173? Either that's a huge drop, or a whole bunch of teams are late with paperwork."
Many teams don't register until after the school seasons end.
Registration is OPEN 'til June 1, 2013
Teams as of May 5th:
Alaska (21)
Alabama (23)
Arkansas (66)
Arizona (3)
California (12)
Colorado (64)
Connecticut (135)
Delaware (9)
Florida (26)
Georgia (6)
Hawaii (39)
Iowa (15)
Idaho (56)
Illinois (100)
Indiana (43)
Kansas (42)
Kentucky (19)
Louisiana (8)
Massachusetts (157)
Maryland (41)
Maine (45)
Michigan (23)
Minnesota (307)
Missouri (134)
Mississippi (8)
Montana (47)
North Carolina (85)
North Dakota (26)
Nebraska (274)
New Hampshire (43)
New Jersey (102)
New Mexico (11)
Nevada (53)
New York (118)
Ohio (51)
Oklahoma (8)
Oregon (26)
Pennsylvania (246)
Rhode Island (12)
South Carolina (58)
South Dakota (38)
Tennessee (10)
Texas (8)
Utah (2)
Virginia (56)
Vermont (17)
Washington (113)
Wisconsin (134)
West Virginia (10)
Wyoming (31)
Not one in Central Florida...
Nothing from Tampa to Orlando to Daytona...
I see Ohio is up to 51. it wil be interesting to see were they are at after the dead line.
3,987 as of June 16th:
Alaska (24)
Alabama (78)
Arkansas (70)
Arizona (27)
California (41)
Colorado (111)
Connecticut (135)
Delaware (10)
Florida (35)
Georgia (15)
Hawaii (45)
Iowa (15)
Idaho (81)
Illinois (166)
Indiana (43)
Kansas (94)
Kentucky (24)
Louisiana (31)
Massachusetts (154)
Maryland (44)
Maine (63)
Michigan (42)
Minnesota (309)
Missouri (148)
Mississippi (11)
Montana (47)
North Carolina (134)
North Dakota (63)
Nebraska (280)
New Hampshire (43)
New Jersey (137)
New Mexico (41)
Nevada (54)
New York (118)
Ohio (71)
Oklahoma (12)
Oregon (38)
Pennsylvania (332)
Rhode Island (29)
South Carolina (87)
South Dakota (69)
Tennessee (19)
Texas (25)
Utah (60)
Virginia (81)
Vermont (17)
Washington (140)
Wisconsin (221)
West Virginia (24)
Wyoming (29)
Legion is still fairly popular in Virginia, but travel ball rules the roost. It is as ctandc describes previously. Recruiting bottom line....travel baseball WILL give you far greater exposure if that is what you seek. Legion baseball CAN give you the necessary exposure for some state schools in VA
My oldest played Legion before he went off to play D1 in college a few years ago, and it was a great situation for him. My middle son is 19, and playing Legion this summer for the same post as his older brother. All expenses are covered by the Post, and the Legion members are very much into their program. My kids have learned a thing or two from the old timers, and have enjoyed their stories.
My youngest is playing Junior Legion for a different Post than his two older brothers (long story). The cost is not covered by the Post. We were shocked to learn we had to stroke a check after tryouts. Our previous experience was no cost. My youngest son likes the junior legion, and the senior team is very well run by a very Legion passionate Coach who has connections.
My beef in all of this is the junior legion age limits. First, I see rising high school seniors playing junior legion. This is wrong. Most played high school JV but didn't want to try out for high school varsity because they didn't think they'd make it (their probably right). Second, one of the other Junior Legion Posts has at least 5 Varsity starters playing Junior Legion. They didn't want to play Senior Legion because they want to win a Junior Legion State Championship (from the horses mouth). Seriously? I guess some people like to be the tallest midget. I'd like to see hard age limits or high school classification on Junior Legion (13-16...rising juniors or below) and Senior Legion (17-18....rising college freshmen)
I don't think Legion is dead but they have to find a way to be respectable again. Having a year round Legion team that functions like a travel team is one idea I've heard that could make sense if the right approach is applied. Clearly Legion has to do something. I'm not sure what that is, but it is not going to be a quick turnaround. Most likely financial resources will be needed, and I'm not sure how Legion operates from a national perspective .
Fenway,
you mentioned the answer. The top legion teams need to compete along side the top travel teams. They need to play in the tournaments that are highly scouted. This will help the legion players and the legion programs. They need to adjust and forget about ego. Those talented legion players will then get the same benefits that the travel teams provide. If and when that happens you will see a big resurgence in Legion Baseball.
This should be crystal clear, but sometimes people can't see the forest because of all those trees.
Thanks PGStaff. I'm in total agreement, and I think my youngest son's American Legion Post thinks that way. They have the talent, and coaching staff to do it. They spoke at the parents meeting about continuing into the Fall to play some travel teams. If so, I'm on board and I agree it is the answer to their problems.
My experience with my oldest son was pretty broad with many top level PG events, as well as academic showcases. My youngest son has different needs, and I see American Legion as a way for him to develop, and get exposure to the local schools that look for players like him. I would love for my youngest son to get the opportunity to play at a PG event with his Legion team in the near future.