A monument marks Milbank, South Dakota, as the birthplace of American Legion Baseball on July 17, 1925. The organization, the monument reads, “was first proposed as a program of service to the youth of America.” (Courtesy Birch-Miller American Legion Post No. 9)
Fox News recently published an article profiling Major John Griffith, a World War I veteran and a national figure in college sports administration. He is credited with inspiring the creation of American Legion Baseball, the oldest organized youth baseball league in the U.S. which was founded 98 years ago. Griffith, who served as the first commissioner of what is now known as the Big Ten, viewed sports as a solution to improve physical fitness and promote good citizenship among the nation’s youth. About 100,000 teenagers play American Legion Baseball each summer. Notably, the league has produced 82 players who have gone on to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The patriotic organization, American Legion, was the perfect partner to carry out Griffith’s vision. Its members embraced his call for stronger, more competitive youth in America.
Author: Jared Morgan
Jared is the senior editor and web team lead for the Department of California and chair of its Media & Communications Commission. He became a member of the American Legion in 2014 when he joined Palisades Post 283 to find stories about veterans issues for a local newspaper while working as its news editor. He was soon brought in as 283's assistant adjutant and historian to help produce the post's award-winning community newspaper. Since then, Jared has used his media skills to help further the efforts of The American Legion in its advocacy of veterans and their families. Jared has also worked for several years to help revitalize the 100-year-old Santa Monica Post 123, formerly as its adjutant and as a member of its executive board, before transferring back to Post 283.