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With these three teams, I don't see how the Athens American legion team shouldn't have a chance at the State Tournament this year.

I mean, Federal Hocking has some really nice players and a trio of arms that can pitch .... Same goes for Athens ... Alexander has a really, really good group of soph that will be of age this year for Legion ... I know Lancaster and Pickerington are great, but darn, if all the kids play from Athens, Alex and Fed Hock - We should be right there with them.

Don't forget Trimble.

There are some fine baseball players at these 4 schools but the success of the American Legion team depends on how many of them actually try out... We can't compete against the Pickerington and Lancaster teams unless we get a high level of participation. Here is a link to the P21 website with tryout info and the 2009 schedule. Also check out the P21 Alumni page. I'm sure 93Bulldog remembers some of those guys..

http://www.p21baseball.net

http://freeteams.net/Post21juniors/

You are right dog, the legion team could be awsome but there is a big problem with legion ball these days. Football and basketball has sank its teeth into summerball. With all the camps, shootouts and all the other stuff these coaches make them do. Kids just don't have enough time too fit it all in. I don't know if the kids just don't like baseball as much, other sport coaches putting too much heat on the kids to do this and that or else. Whatever it is, it really sucks for the legion team and the great ball players that don't play. Sport wise, baseball has sent more kids to college than any other sport in this county and maybe all the other sports put together.

You guys are right...kids get the pinch put on them if they don't come to open gyms and camps through the summer. I'm not quite sure what the appeal is for basketball. How many Division 1 products has Athens County produced in the past 15 years? This year alone, Athens County has 2 kids playing Division 1 baseball (Hale, Chadwell)... It's a shame that these kids don't see that their best shot is on the diamond.

It is my opinion that Legion plays too many games. With all of the games they play it is difficult for kids to make a full time committment to that without completely ignoring the other sports that they are involved in. My son is a 3 sport player, he loves baseball, but he also loves basketball and football. You talk of football and basketball taking away from legion, Legion does the same thing to those sports. And not all kids play a sport because they think they are going to college to play it. I know that most varsity basketball coaches want June from the kids for open gyms, shootouts, and team camp. They can go until the end of July but I know of few who do, because they know football is starting in July. I guess it comes down to what you want to do the most. Ohio is steeped in history in regards to Legion baseball, but I believe that representing your school is still the best product out there.

There is nothing like Legion baseball experience...

Plus, Legion Ball is the best competition any player will face. It is a step above High in terms of difficulty and kids should want to enter that challenge.

I agree that coaches are putting kids in a bind, but it is very manageable to play legion and also play a fall sport and be successful.

With the short high school baseball season, I would like to see more participation from more high school baseball players. Football season is 2 and a half months long not including practice. Basketball season starts toward the end of nov. and goes until the middle of feb. not including practice. Baseball can't start practice intil end of feb. and the season is over around the first of may with games starting at the end of mar. Baseball players need to play summer baseball to improve and get better. The short time a baseball player has in high school just isn't enough time to get better. Some coaches in the other sports start open gyms and lifting right now and ask baseball kids to participate so what is wrong with wanting a great player to play summer baseball. If legion ball would get the kids to come out that should, they would be a force to be wreckened with. On a college note, almost every kid that plays a sport might not say it but I bet they think about playing college ball.

Erv-
I agee 110% with what you said there. The baseball season is not long enough for a player to improve their game. However when you mix in Legion with the High school season that gives kids plenty of time to improve their skills.

We can't expect kids, like pitchers to improve their pitching when most will only get 3-5 games to pitch in the high school season. Give them legion games and you have given the kids enough time to improve with ample competition to play against.

Kids need to play Legion ball to improve, I know it made a world a difference for me and I began playing Legion ball when I was 15.

I'd have to agree that Schools and those sports should play more importance then Legion ball. However if a kid is better at baseball then football and basketball they should play legion to get better for the next level.

Spartan wrote:It is my opinion that Legion plays too many games. With all of the games they play it is difficult for kids to make a full time committment to that without completely ignoring the other sports that they are involved in. My son is a 3 sport player, he loves baseball, but he also loves basketball and football. You talk of football and basketball taking away from legion, Legion does the same thing to those sports. And not all kids play a sport because they think they are going to college to play it. I know that most varsity basketball coaches want June from the kids for open gyms, shootouts, and team camp. They can go until the end of July but I know of few who do, because they know football is starting in July. I guess it comes down to what you want to do the most. Ohio is steeped in history in regards to Legion baseball, but I believe that representing your school is still the best product out there.

I guess too many depends on who you are.. If you just play baseball and no other sports than they probably don't play enough. A kid that doesn't play summer baseball will lose out on a bunch and most of the time you can tell if he doesn't play in the summer. I think if the coach knows ahead of time the dates that the player is not going to be there as long as its not District Tourney time or State then that is fine. I guess Summer time isn't baseball season anymore like it use to be.

Gentlemen,

I certainly do not disagree with any of you. Spring baseball is short, no doubt about it. I know it would not be ideal, but what if football were in the spring, and baseball started in the summer and lasted the fall. That goes against all tradition, but just a thought.
Probably for me, communication and working together is the best solution having a son that loves to play all 3. I would love to see him play jr. legion and he probably would love to, especially this year, but he could not be there all the time, so you get into the dilemma of being able to make a proper committment.
I would bet it gets real tricky for qualifiers of the State Legion Tourney who have football kids.
Lets raise our glasses to good weather - and making spring baseball the best it can be. Although the weather sure is crappy out there today.

from a personal experience,ive played summer legion and done football before and it is a load,but as you said u come into the problem sooner or later football will make you miss it,but playing legion really does improve your game so if you can do both i would recommend it,but no doubt it was a lot of work and running around,but your only young once so you might as well! lol

Spartan wrote:Gentlemen,

I certainly do not disagree with any of you. Spring baseball is short, no doubt about it. I know it would not be ideal, but what if football were in the spring, and baseball started in the summer and lasted the fall. That goes against all tradition, but just a thought.
Probably for me, communication and working together is the best solution having a son that loves to play all 3. I would love to see him play jr. legion and he probably would love to, especially this year, but he could not be there all the time, so you get into the dilemma of being able to make a proper committment.
I would bet it gets real tricky for qualifiers of the State Legion Tourney who have football kids.
Lets raise our glasses to good weather - and making spring baseball the best it can be. Although the weather sure is crappy out there today.

I can't speak for this years junior legion coaches but I know the past legion coaches have been very cooperative with and considerate of the demands of the 3 sport athlete. Don't give up on Legion Baseball until you check it out. I would suggest coming to the tryouts, meeting the coaches and even talking to past players before making your decision. Personally I hate to see kids choose to specialize on a sport before their junior or senior year of high school. If you skip summer baseball you have essentialy chosen to concentrate on football or basketball due to the limited season of spring high school baseball. Open gyms and shootouts in basketball as well as football 7 on 7's help you become better in those sports so why not improve your baseball skills by playing summer baseball. Don't make a choice if you don't have to.

Now I will step down from the soapbox. LOL...

Well said, GW.

I guess maybe the 'Athlete' is changing...

I for one, was looking for as much athletic competition as I could. I remember playing Ball in High School then having a couple a weeks to rest back up to get ready for Summer Ball and Football Lifting. I know from experience that my coaches helped make it easier for me to come out and play. When I was a Sophomore, I was encouraged to spend more time on football in the summer because the team was switching to a more complex offensive scheme. However, I loved Legion ball so I had to make a choice. I managed to get to all the football workouts/7o7's and worked it out so I could still pitch and play in legion games.

Also, playing in the states tournament as a Freshman and fitting 2-a-days in was fun for me. I loved the challenged and enjoyed all the games I was involved in.

It is not Impossible to play Legion, and workout for whatever Spring/Winter sport you may be focusing in on as well.