2010 Post 202 - 1st District Baseball Schedule:
American Legion Baseball
"AN INVESTMENT IN AMERICA'S YOUTH"
We Need Your Help!
Coleman A. Young Post 202 is Proud to Sponsor an American Legion Baseball Team.
We are asking your help to help us help them. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to our Post to help us support our team. Checks should be made out to "Coleman A. Young Post 202", in the memo section please note "Baseball", mailing address "CAY202 C/O Post Adjutant" 20209 Briarcliff, Detroit, Mi. 48221
The American Legion is committed to America's youth, which is why we have sponsored American Legion Baseball since 1925.
The goals of American Legion Baseball are the development of team discipline, individual character and leadership development qualities in young people.
American Legion Baseball is the oldest and largest, nationwide teenage baseball program in America. American Legion Baseball became a National program in 1925. Over ten million teenagers have played American Legion Baseball since its 1925.
The first National Championship tournament was held in 1926.100,000 players, ages 15 to 19, participated in 2008. Since 1985, over 1,900 new teams have registered to play American Legion Baseball.
On an average, 52 percent of Major League Baseball players played American Legion Baseball as teenagers. Nearly 70 percent of all college players played American Legion Baseball as teenagers.
Since 1926, Major League Baseball has honored The American Legion World Series Champions at the Major League World Series. The Commissioner's Office annually presents a plaque to The American Legion Champions on the field at The Major League World Series.
The 2007 National Championship team, from Columbia, TN attended the MLWS in Boston, MA and was presented the Commissioner's Award.
Major League Baseball has supported our program annually since 1926 and currently contributes $40,000 (3 percent of the National budget), which helps offset tournament expenses for American Legion teams at Regional and World Series Tournaments.
Plenty of other teams from Michigan have made it deep into the American Legion World Series, but the 1959 team from Edison Post 187 in Detroit stands alone as the state’s only champion. The team celebrates the 50th anniversary of its national title in July.
The players earned several laurels back in ’59. Each received a black Louisville Slugger with his name engraved on it, and Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks awarded the Player of the Year trophy to Fred Bowen, who later went on a press tour. He appeared on NBC’s “Today” show and got to meet one of baseball’s greatest legends, Ty Cobb.
“At that time, (Cobb) was already in a wheelchair because of his diabetes,” Bowen said. “He was having a good day, and I mostly remember him just repeating, ‘Do you want me to sign another ball, kid?’ He kept calling me kid.”
On July 25, The American Legion will showcase the ’59 champions during the zone playoffs at Chief Pontiac Field in Clarkston, Mich. They will also be guests of honor at the State Championship Banquet in Adrian, Mich., July 29.
American Legion Baseball
National Championship 1959
Hastings Duncan Field
Hasting Duncan Field was selected to host the 1959 American Legion Baseball World Series. More than 18,000 teams competed in American Legion ball in 1959 and four teams came to Hastings for the double elimination National Championship. Attendance for the 7 games was 23,615.
Thomas Edison Post 187 from Detroit Michigan lost their first round game then won four straight to take the championship. Hayes Velhage Post 96 from West Hartford CT, Fuller Urick Post 48 from Hampton Va and Luke Greenway Post 1 from Phoenix Az rounded out the field.
In the first round West Harford defeated Detroit 6-3 while Hampton beat Phoenix 5-0 behind the two hit pitching of George Jones. . In the losers game the next day Detroit ousted Phoenix 14-6 and Hampton won the winners game 5-0 against West Hartford with Bobby Hall pitching a 3 hitter. Hampton was the suprise team of the tournament as this was only their second year of American Legion ball. Detroit then eliminated West Hartford 7-6 and beat Hampton 5-3 with Mark Esper getting the win. Coach Art Kohn's Detroit team then won the final game 11-4 with Terry Barden on the mound to win the championship.
Lou Webb from Phoenix won the Louisville Slugger award. He averaged .478 in 11 regional/championship games. Fred Bowen from Detroit was named the American Legion Player of the year.
All Donors will be listed on our Supporters page and will be furnished a receipt for tax purposes.
American Legion Facts, Forms, Tournament and Other Useful Informationhttp://www.baseball.legion.org/
