Opening Ceremony ~ “A” Regional Tournament
Burley, ID ~ 8-7-25

For over a century, The American Legion has strengthened our nation and its veterans through programs, services, compassion and actions that have proven vital, timeless and life-changing.
One of our youth programs, American Legion Baseball, celebrates 100 years of service in 2025. 100 years! 1925 ... one short year later, more than 52,000 players were participating in our program.
Legends and war heroes such as Yogi Berra, Ted Williams and Bob Feller would comprise some of the Hall of Famers who have played Legion Baseball. By 1947, Babe Ruth himself would serve as the national spokesman and consultant for the program.
In 2010 the National Executive Committee selected Shelby, N.C., as the home of the American Legion Baseball World Series.
Coverage by ESPN soon followed.
Over its first century, conservative estimates are that more than 10 million young people have played American Legion Baseball. Think about that.....
89 Hall of Fame Major League ballplayers got their start playing Legion ball!
Something to be proud of.
Something to tell the club/travel ball teams that come calling for you to leave our program for what they say are "greener pastures."
That patch you wear on your uniform sleeve means something.
It's a badge of honor that came with a price.
A price of thousands of lives lost in battle by our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
So ... be proud of that patch you wear while playing American Legion Baseball.
Be proud that you represent The American Legion, the largest veteran service organization in the country.
And THAT is something to be proud of.
You are one of eight teams representing six Western states in this Northwest "A" Division.
Be VERY proud of that as well.

Tim Shaw
Commander, American Legion Post 143
District 1 Director
Department of Idaho Baseball