The annual State Championship American Legion Baseball Tournament was conducted between 22 to 26 July 2022 at Pete Biden Field on the campus of Fresno State University. By any standard I feel that the tournament was a resounding success.
Eight teams competed for the title of Champion, with the Petaluma Leghorns emerging victorious in a dramatic winner-take-all finale against a team competing in the state championship for the first time, the Clovis Nighthawks. Petaluma has now won the state title for four consecutive years and will represent California in the Regional Championship beginning 3 August in Fairfield, CA. The Fairfield Expos, Area 1 Champions, were eliminated in the Semi-Final round of competition, but will play in the Regional tournament due to being host team.
A welcome aboard banquet was held on 21 July at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District building, hosted and sponsored by Clovis Post 147. Teams were introduced after having been issued unique uniform tops and hats, representing each of the six uniformed services, and the National Guard and Law Enforcement.
A highlight of the welcome banquet was the introduction of the first 3 members of the caLegion Baseball Hall of Fame. Commissioners suggested the establishment of a Hall of Fame early in the 2022 season. Criteria was established and three worthy persons were elected. Those people were Mr. Billy Capps, MVP of the 1954 National Championship team from Post 492, San Diego, CA; Mr. Randy Jones, former Cy Young award winner with the San Diego Padres and major supporter of youth and Legion sports in the San Diego area; and Mr. Bob Boyd, longtime Baseball Commissioner and former Chairman of the Baseball Commission.
Major planning and logistical hurdles were overcome to conduct a high quality tournament. Players and coaches were afforded billeting in the Fresno State dormitories, with breakfast in the school cafeteria. Because of the college’s COVID screening requirements, any person using the dorms had to present a negative COVID test and photo taken within 48 hours of arrival. Uniforms had to be issued in staggered times to allow changing prior to the Rules Briefing and team photographs, then the photographs sent to San Diego for printing of the tournament program, which was delivered on Saturday. Another challenge was a Fresno State requirement that we terminate play on Saturday, 23 July no later than 5:30 pm due to a soccer game being held in the adjacent field.
This requirement necessitated playing four games as quickly as possible or face the need to suspend the last game, which turned out to be what had to be done. Teams were briefed on Thursday night about the possibility and the plan to deal with the situation, but when it became an actuality some coaches were not too happy. Still, the play continued on to the next day and the situation was overcome. Contracts were completed to deal with every arrangement, thanks to the tireless efforts of Tournament Director and Commission Vice Chair, Ray Flores, who also arranged for a professional photographer, Jon Endow, and announcer, Steve Eicher, throughout the tournament.
Funds were raised during the past 12 months through the dynamic efforts of Baseball Spokesperson and Fundraising Chair Judy Leonardi. Judy visited Posts, Districts and Areas from Northern California to Southern California, sharing the vision for Legion Baseball, organizing events such as a Diamonds and Denims dinner and raffle, and an exhibition baseball game during the Department Convention in Visalia. On Saturday night Judy arranged a Player’s Appreciation Party at XLanes, a bowling alley and arcade with pizza, which was sponsored by Sanger City Councilman and tremendous American Legion supporter Al Alfaro.
During the tournament, volunteers manned a merchandise booth, distributed water, drinks and ice ,and collected entry fees. The support of volunteers from the Sons of the American Legion, Auxiliary, members of Post 147 and Young Marines was invaluable. Commissioners and Technical Advisors assisted in a variety of ways, including placing American flags in the outfield, tracking pitch counts, assisting in the announcer’s booth, ensuring baseballs were available to umpires, and when delivering awards on the field. Area 3 Baseball Commissioner Frank Ducar was key to arranging volunteer support in the Fresno area.
Throughout the year Commissioners worked to raise funds to support the teams being formed, with the aim of reducing the financial toll on parents as much as possible. Every team and every Area is different, but by keeping the expense to parents as low as possible we feel we can bring teams back to Legion ball from travel ball. To further facilitate this objective, Area Commanders must get behind the program and ensure that financial support is given. It is recommended that Areas and Districts establish budget line items for baseball and conduct fundraising activities to meet their goal.
The task of supporting Legion baseball must not be left with the Posts alone if we hope to keep the program growing. With the goal of growing teams, a new team was formed in Area Two, the Bay Area Bombers, who represented Area Two in the state championship. Past Junior Commander Autrey James helped to get the Bombers sponsored and supported. The visibility of having this new team onboard is hoped to bring other Area Two teams into the fold. Likewise, the entry of the Clovis Nighthawks looks to lead to more teams in Area Three in the future.
Next year our Championship tournament is being planned for Jackie Robinson Field on the UCLA campus. By bringing Legion baseball to the Los Angeles area we hope to resurrect American Legion baseball in Area Six and continue to grow support throughout the state. The bar continues to be raised.
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.