Please cast submit your vote and share any thoughts you might have on the subject.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Need more ALB coaches to vote.
quote:Originally posted by Coach Milburn:
Need more coaches to vote.
The plan and execution to raise the eligibility age from 18U to 19U has failed. There are many places for the college age / JUCO players to play.
Having 16U compete with the 18U improves player development.
American Legion should return to 18U.
American Legion should raise the roster limit to 20.
Just wanted to share how they operate legion baseball in South Carolina.
quote:From: WBJones
Date: Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: Online POLL question about ALB roster size
To: JEFF MILBURN
Jeff, Thanks for your interest in the betterment of American Legion ball. Our State in South Carolina already allows 20 players on our roster during regular season. This is fine with national. When we go into playoffs we must cut to 18.
Funding will always be a problem for baseball, whether on the high school, college or summer teams. In high school and college the football teams help or completely fund the baseball teams. In summer ball the parents or the legion posts funds the team.
If going to 20 players allows more players to be absent from the team to do other things like college camps and the like, then you will get into vacation absentees. So, if you're going to have more players so some can miss and still have enough players you're back to the numbers you have now.
Are there any other summer ball operations who cover expenses for the regional and national tournaments other than american legion ball? I am thankful for what they do. In promoting the American Legion Baseball program, I state the following points:
1. Our boys don't have to pay a dime to play for us. We haul them, feed them and sleep them when we are out of town.
2. American Legion ball play for their hometown and community.
3. My players want to win for our town. Its not about who gets 2 hits and sits down. How many travel ball players are trying with all their might to hit a ground ball to second base with a runner on third with one out? This is what being a baseball team means
4. A.L. is a showcase of teams not a show case of individuals
5. Poor kids can play AL baseball.
6. Our coaches motives are pure. None of our coaches are paid. I have one coach who drives 50 miles one way everyday to coach. It costs me at least $10,000 a year in lost revenue from my business(dentistry) and direct contributions. It is a good discipline to trace the money in any operation to see what the motives are.
We are hosting the South Eastern Regionals in Sumter Aug 6th to 10th. I don't have the team of last year (3rd place nationally). So, we may be two and out. If you want to come down, you can stay at my house. I won't be able to visit with you because of my duties. If and when we lose out, I immediately leave town for a few days so I can only offer my house while I'm here.
Wallie Jones (Sumter P15's)
http://www.p-15.com
quote:
From: Jeff Milburn
Date: Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Subject: "Letter to Editor" for Collegiate Baseball News
To: Collegiate Baseball
Dear Lou,
Please consider my letter for the print edition. Please edit as you see fit.
Please confirm receipt.
Thank You,
Jeff Milburn
American Legion Baseball, the last of a dying breed? Or making a strong comeback?
I read with much interest the Little League = Big Money, while millions of people volunteer their time for this organization, a handful of people earn substantial salaries article that was featured in the January 8, 2010 edition.
I just want to share that National American Legion Headquarters is staffed with just one and half full-time employees that is the National program coordinator, Mr. Jim Quinlan and his part-time secretary.
American Legion Baseball is always around the 5,000 ballpark figure of registered teams through both junior and senior teams.
National Headquarters does not charge a fee for the players to play.
This year, ALB National has taking advantage of the technology that is available and has made the registration process paperless by allowing everyone to enter their teams via online at the following link: http://www.baseball.legion.org/baseball
This registration process just alone could start attracting managers back to form new teams to play American Legion Baseball.
Mr. Quinlan did share that the rules committee is reviewing the roster limit.
To close, American Legion Baseball is truly the only nearly 100% volunteer baseball organization left in the United States if the not the world.
Kudos to Mr. Jim Quinlan, his part-time secretary (I am sorry I did not catch her name), the State Commissioners, District Chairman across the country who volunteer their time as well as to all of the team managers and coaching staffs for giving many young men an opportunity to play baseball for basically no charge.
Respectfully shared,
Jeff Milburn (former player/coach of Post 21 Winchester)
Winchester, VA
From: WBJones
Date: Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: "Letter to Editor" for Collegiate Baseball News
To: Jeff Milburn
Good letter. Had supper with Mr. Quinlan in January.
Legion ball is the only thing in our area where the players don't have to pay to play baseball. By the nature of its restrictions it is a community team. When a fan goes to see his home team play, he will probably know a lot of the kids. The kids care if they win as do the fans, unlike showcase stuff.
I think what needs to be hammered home about travel ball is the tremendous expense involved-you pay to play, have travel expenses, motels for parents and family, food away from home.
Some spend $4000/year from the 9th grade on to win a scholarship worth $2,000 per year if that. Not good mathmatics in South Carolina as I don't know about Va.
We currently have 14 graduates from our Legion team playing in college. We have 3 playing pro ball, none of whom ever played a day of 'travel ball' nor paid for private lessons. So, you can get to college and beyond in baseball from American Legion ball.
I would suggest that you read The Talent Code by Coyle. It has given me information that will change my way of coaching and dealing with my grand children. Every one who teaches should read this book. It unwraps some mysteries about why people reach different levels in what they do whether it is playing a piano, mastering mathmatics, or playing baseball.
Wallie Jones
First of all rosters are now 18 in S.C., just like everywhere else. Second, not all legion programs in S.C. are operated like the Sumter program. Far from it. Third, in one of his e-mails Wally says that none of the Sumter Legion players now playing college ball EVER played travel ball. That is simply not true. But they did not play Legion and travel at the same time.
quote:Originally posted by MTH:
First of all rosters are now 18 in S.C., just like everywhere else. Second, not all legion programs in S.C. are operated like the Sumter program. Far from it. Third, in one of his e-mails Wally says that none of the Sumter Legion players now playing college ball EVER played travel ball. That is simply not true. But they did not play Legion and travel at the same time.
Look at the date of the e-mail dialog that Coach Jones made his comments.
Fri, Jul 24, 2009 and today is July 22, 2011
For those who haven't seen it yet, the national office has issued a decree of new rules. Rosters will be capped at 18. I know this isn't new, but some states have played with a larger roster limit up until National Form 1 (official rosters) were due at national. Message on ALB national web site grimmly reminds us that violators will be punished.
Second, as of 2015 season - no college players - high school only.
Third, states can adopt a 7-inning game rule. I think this is optional.
Second, as of 2015 season - no college players - high school only.
Third, states can adopt a 7-inning game rule. I think this is optional.