The AAABA Season

[thesaviormattlawton]

With the addition of two new teams which expands the league to 7 teams, is the tradition of AAABA in Johnstown being restored? Many look at last year's tournament as a success even though Johnstown lost. Will Johnstown ever win a National Tournament? Should they combine the players of all teams and make an all star team like other cities do? Why does Johnstown " eat their own" when it comes to National Tournament teams?

[life hunts]

The Johnstown AAABA and the surrounding American Legion teams/Leagues would both benefit if both leagues agreed upon REQUIRING participants to play out their eligibility at the Legion level first and then advancing to the AAABA level.

My opinion is that the Johstwon and Altoona AAABA leagues are watered down so to speak because of all the kids jumping to the AAABA ranks before completing their Legion time.

The American Legion recently passed a rule stating anyone who does not turn 19 before Jan. 1 is still eliglble for Legion baseball.

My opinion...Legion baseball should be played until the player has completed high school (including the summer after HS graduation). Then the AAABA league should be able to recruit from the college ranks.

American Legion baseball is intended for high school athletes. AAABA is intended for college athletes.

out

[Opinionguy]

Contrary to belief, other teams DO NOT pick all star teams to come to Johnstown for the National Tournament. These are teams, the same as the Johnstown Rep, who won their respected league that season. And most, had to go through a regional qualifier before making it to the Amature Baseball Capital of the World (man I almost typed that with a straight face).

I responded with a much longer response in the LH section under the same topic.