Your Department’s Baseball Commission is raising the bar. Last year the Commission successfully oversaw a move of venues from the historical field of Cleve Borman Field in Yountville to Clovis/Fresno. The idea is to showcase Legion Baseball to other regions of the state to increase awareness, interest, and participation. A very successful championship tournament was held at Buchanan High School Field in Clovis.
The field was in great shape, and hotels were plentiful and affordable for parents, friends, and family. A terrific banquet was hosted by local American Legion Post 147, District 14, and the Clovis Veteran’s Memorial District (CVMD). Every player participating in the tournament received a quality team uniform jersey, with each of 6 teams representing one of the military branches, and an individual award for reaching the State Championship.
We are returning to the Fresno/Clovis area in 2022, with tournament dates and venue still being finalized; however, the tournament will most likely be held during the period from 25 to 30 July. We expect to make this year’s championship tournament even better than last year’s. In 2023 we are planning to move the tournament to Los Angeles to Jackie Robinson Field at UCLA, and then to San Diego, San Francisco, and other areas, making this a truly memorable event for players and families.
Area Commanders are asked to join the team and help the effort by asking District Commanders to raise funds of $100 per Post. If each Area commits to an amount equal to the number of its Posts, we would raise over $41,000 of our $62,000 expected tournament budget. Commanders, like in Field of Dreams, pledge it and the funds will come! Each Post raising $100 is an easily achieved goal, perhaps shared by the Sons, and Riders, and Auxiliary. District 22 raised $2,900 in under an hour when the team idea was shared. Can your Districts match or exceed this effort? By each Post contributing a little, we can showcase Legion Baseball throughout the State and grow teams where before there were none.
Please send contributions to the Adjutant, Department of California, 1601 Seventh St., Sanger, Ca. 93657, and note Baseball in the notes section. Let’s Play Ball!
Author: Ed Benes
US Marines, 1968-1989. One year tour in Vietnam as Infantry Platoon Leader. Later flew A4's. After USMC flew for American Airlines 1990-2006. Member Legion Post 83 since 1995. Past Commander. Baseball Commissioner, Area 3 since 2014. Chairman, Calif. Baseball Commission, Nov. 2021 to present.
