American Legion Baseball is a summer tradition for young athletes, offering competition, camaraderie, and a chance to hone their skills. But this powerhouse program has a rich history dating back to 1925.

Born from a desire to promote fitness and positive development in young people after WWI, American Legion Baseball’s first World Series was held in 1926.  However, initial financial hurdles threatened the program’s future.

Thankfully, Major League Baseball stepped in with crucial annual funding, allowing Legion Baseball to resume in 1928. Since then, the program has seen immense growth, with over 10 million participants and 82 Hall of Famers (including Mickey Mantle and Ernie Banks) calling it their training ground.

Today, over 3,500 teams across the U.S. and Canada participate in American Legion Baseball. The program stays true to its original mission, fostering not just baseball skills but also good sportsmanship, citizenship, and character. Recent years have seen the program continue to thrive, providing a valuable summer experience for countless young athletes and serving as a stepping stone for many on their path to college and professional baseball. Current stars like Bryce Harper, Corey Seager, Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom, and Gunnar Henderson (AL Rookie of the Year, Baltimore Orioles), just to name a few, all honed their skills in American Legion Baseball.