Your California Legion baseball program took a huge step forward in 2021 by moving the State Championship Tournament from Yountville, CA. to the Clovis/Fresno area. While Yountville has been a wonderful tradition for many years, Fresno provided many improvements, such as better housing for players, more affordable hotels for families and friends, central location and proximity to Department Headquarters, and a quality baseball field.
Raising the bar on the baseball experience necessarily raised the cost. Thanks to Former Department Chairman Bob Boyd, Tournament Director Ray Flores and Donation Coordinator Judy Leonardi, and Area Commissioners, a first class tournament was held at Buchanan High School in Clovis, with the Petaluma Leghorns emerging victorious. Several major financial sponsors and a partnership with the Clovis Veteran’s Memorial District were key to meeting budget and planning expectations.
Our goal is to grow American Legion Baseball in California back to it’s former pinnacle as the best youth sports program available. No doubt our baseball program has molded and shaped countless young people into respectful and patriotic citizen athletes over the years. But there is more work to be done. Past years has seen the number of Legion teams declining due to costs, competition from other sports, particularly Travel Ball. Your help is needed.
How can you help? Each District, whether it has teams playing Senior (19-U) or Junior (17-U) ball, should plan on providing financial and physical support to it’s District’s, or the Department’s, baseball program. Funds should be budgeted to offset team’s insurance, uniform, travel, and equipment costs. Consider this seed money . . . if the seeds aren’t planted, there is no crop. Reaching more youth through more teams is our crop. Area teams need help from each District. As more teams are added, more will follow. If you do not have a team playing Legion ball in your District, at least contribute to your Area’s budget or Department’s.
Our youth are our future. Let us be good supporters. For more information, contact Judy Leonardi at: contributions@ald22baseball.org or your District Financial Officer.
Ed Benes is chairman of the California America Legion Baseball Commission.
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.