Legion Baseball rumor...

[Winchell]

I heard a RUMOR from a reliable source that a Legion team will be starting up out of Central, and Claysburg Legion will be discontinued. This would leave Claysburg and Tussey kids in the boundaries of Bedford but I'm sure most would choose to play at Central. I guess this would leave Central Legion boundaries with Central and Hollidaysburg kids and a few other schools. So my question is does anyone know if this is true or not??

[thepalerider]

Well Mike we have to see how it pans out. First, the Central team would not be in the Cambria county league. Next, Claysburg could keep their team if they wanted to however they would only draw from Claysburg because Tussey kids could not travel past another area to play for Claysburg. If they get a team Central team would get Tussey kids. Its still up in the air, I don't see it happening.

[Winchell]

Okay thanks for the info Pale. I also heard that Claysburg's coach might not come back next year, is that true that you know of?

[pas2326100]

As the coach for the CLaysburg Legion Team i can inform you that this will not be happening from our stand point. They did make the calls to the regional director and he called to tell me the same thing he told them , which is unless they call me and my group agrees to release them, they will not be able to start there own team. To this day have never made a call to me asking if we could sit down and discuss this. Myself and the people above me who i have to answer to would have to release the territory for this to happen. Also, as the one poster said if they would get a team it would be at the expense of the CLaysburg team, not in addition to. As per the regional director Tussey would no longer be able to play for Claysburg if Central was released as they are not aloud driving through someone elses boundaries to play for another team. Claysburg also does not have the numbers to stand alone most years. Also Hollidaysburg has there own team and would not be able to combine with Central.
As far as leagues, it doesnt matter whether is is Cambria or Central Penn, they all are under the direction of the same person from a regional stand point.
I would be more than happy to sit down and discuss things with them at any time and although i may not tell them exactly what they want to hear, i would be completely honest with them and up front.
I know it is not an issue with the dealings within the Claysburg team and all kids no matter the school are treated the same. We have worked very hard over the past 5 years that i have been the manager of the Claysburg legion team to bring in a great group of kids from all schools that are first and foremost great kids and on top of that great baseball players. As much as i enjoy the success of this team and how well they have played as a group... i enjoy just as much how close these young men from different schools have become and the friends they have made for life. I still see many of the kids from previous years hanging out and spending time together with other members from different schools.
Sorry for being so long winded but wanted to be up front and honest about where things are from my stand point. I do understand that i open myself up by posting on here, but thats fine. As long as i am being honest and giving you the truth, people can form whatever opinion they choose on the matter.

[say_oww]

Coach is right. You can't form an American Legion Baseball team unless the Regional Directors grant approval. Regional Directors will not act without league involvement, and the league won't release territory unless a team agrees that it will not impact an existing franchise. The American Legion is very fair with their franchises when it comes to this issue because nearly all of the franchises are sponsored by local legion posts.

American Legion Baseball is collectively run by the local posts, and the post officers follow their governing rules and principles which are rooted in traditional values such as faith, trust, loyalty, and service. This is why American Legion Baseball has so much continuity - because they follow their values. The same volunteers that organize community activities for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day and other ceremonies are the same guys who fund the baseball teams. They realize that guys who just appear out of nowhere and want to start new teams are dads who have coached little league and just want to coach their kids a few more years and then move on.

So don't bet on Central getting a new team if it is at the expense of shutting down Claysburg. Claysburg Legion has been around a long time, and will still be around long after this fleeting amount of interest.

[CRBL Baseball]

Well said guys!

[Winchell]

Thanks for the info guys. Like I said, I heard that rumor and figured someone on BC would know the truth, so thanks for clearing that up!