In 1998, The American Legion established a national baseball scholarship. A $1000 scholarship is awarded to each participating Department. A total of $51,000 is awarded annually to 51 outstanding American Legion Baseball players based upon lead-ership, character, scholarship and financial need. The Quaker Oats Company, makers of Gatorade® annually contributes $10,000 towards scholarships to help us honor Eight Regional Players of the Year as well as The American Legion Player of the Year.

Over 98,000 players, ages 15 to 19, participated in 2003. Since 1925 over 10 million young peoples have played American Legion Baseball. Since 1985, over 1,900 new teams have registered to play American Legion Baseball. Local American Legion Posts also support and sponsor some 2,500 younger-age teams who are registered with Little League, Babe Ruth, Pony, Dixie as well as many other youth sports teams such as soccer, bowling, hockey, etc.

On an average, 55 percent of Major League Baseball players played American Legion Baseball as teenagers.
Nearly 75 percent of all college players played American Legion Baseball as teenagers.
The American Legion is the only amateur baseball program that provides 100% expenses for meals travel, housing for teams participating at the national tournaments. The number of registered American Legion Baseball teams continues to grow each year. This growth is due to the fact that volunteers who run
American Legion Baseball are committed to providingan outstanding experience for all those who wear an
American Legion Baseball uniform. American LegionBaseball is a "Winning Tradition".

Forty-six American Legion Baseball graduates have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. 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 2002 National Championship team, from West Point, MS attended the MLWS in Anaheim, CA. and the team was presented the Commissioner's Award by Bob Watson, Vice President of Major League Baseball and Sandy Alderson, Vice President of Major League Baseball. Both played American Legion Baseball.

The season year 2004 marks the 79th Anniversary of competition in the program. Its purpose continues to be in 2003 the same as was in 1925, "An investment in America's Youth." The history of American Legion Baseball has proven that America's youth receive on the baseball diamond a thorough understanding of the true value of sportsmanship, leadership and individual character building.

Thank You American Legion Veterans………

Wildwood Post 184 had two Teams in the Play offs....YOU go Kids !

They kick some Fanny I can tell you that...I was amazed at the great hitting and fielding of these young kids...I photographed the State tournament of which two of our teams are in the play offs!!!  YOU GO POST 184 !  you had to go to a game to understand !  I looked in the stands and there was only a hand full of people cheering on the Kinds...what a shame when they need us the most.  I loved it, not just as a photographer but to feel the energy, the stress of the coaches and the excitement of kids giving their all to make it happen!