BECOME PART OF THE FUN
START A TEAM TODAY!

American Legion Baseball is always growing, and participation is easy! In Wisconsin, over 200 teams compete each year, so there's ample opportunity for new players to join, and for coaches who want to start a team. Young athletes ages 13-18 years old are eligible to play. American Legion Post sponsorship is encouraged but not a requirement to play Legion ball.

Coaches who want to start a team should contact State Commissioner Roger Mathison at (608) 558-1503 or email him at cvpstcmd@mwt.net. The Department will send a new team packet, which includes the state and national rule books, insurance information and online registration information.

The Wisconsin American Legion Baseball Association was established at the annual Department of Wisconsin Convention in Oshkosh on July 17, 1953. On an average, 55% of Major League Baseball Players played American Legion Baseball as teenagers: i.e. Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Johnny Bench, Brooks Robinson, and Yogi Berra!

REGISTRATION EASY AND ONLINE

All registration is through the National American Legion website at www.legion.org/baseball. Enter team information, pay fees and insurance, download forms and build your team roster. CLICK HERE for complete step-by-step instructions.

To avoid possible infringement upon copyrights belonging to The American Legion, a team can't call themselves Legion Baseball unless they REGISTER online as a Legion team. Registration deadline is JUNE 1st.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL RULES

For the past 86 years, American Legion Baseball has played the game using "Official Baseball Rules" as authorized by the commissioner's office of Major League Baseball for both Varsity and Junior Varsity teams.  New rules beginning with the 2014 season for JUNIOR VARSITY play:
COURTESY RUNNERS. Teams have the option to use a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher at any time. To prevent delays, it is recommended that the courtesy runner be used with two men out in all games.
DESIGNATED HITTER. A hitter may be (not mandatory) designated for any one starting player (not just pitchers) and all subsequent substitutes for that player in the game. A starting defensive player cannot be listed as the designated hitter in the starting lineup. A designated hitter for said player shall be selected prior to the start of the game, and his name shall be included on the lineup cards presented to the umpire-in-chief and to the official scorer. Failure to declare a designated hitter prior to the game precludes the use of a designated hitter in that game.
RE-ENTRY. Any of the starting players, with the exception of the pitcher and the designated hitter, may withdraw from the game and re-enter once, provided such players occupy the same batting position whenever they re-enter the lineup. Starting pitchers and designated hitters that change positions later in the same game are NOT eligible to re-enter.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Any team manager or head coach of an American Legion (post-affiliated) team may nominate a graduating senior who plays on a Wisconsin American Legion team. CLICK HERE for scholarship application.  Deadline: July 15.

The Department Americanism Committee will select the player who best meets the qualifications on the nomination form. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship from National and the Wisconsin American Legion Baseball Association will match that amount.

That person will also be considered for The American Legion All-Academic Team sponsored by Diamond Sports. Nationally, eight players will receive an additional $2,500 scholarship. A ninth player, selected as the most outstanding member will be awarded an additional $5,000 scholarship.

2014 STATE TOURNAMENT

CLICK HERE for the 2014 Tournament Dates, Location and Contact Information.

Get your live Regional & State Tournament Updates HERE! (Coming this summer)

State Tournament Reimbursement Form