Legionnaires boost baseball for summertime

MADISON – Local baseball players are getting a boost from members of Madison American Legion, Post 229.

Legionnaires volunteered their support for Major League Baseball’s Pitch Hit & Run contest on April 30. The City of Madison Parks and Recreation Department hosted the event at Palmer Park in Madison.

“Pitch Hit & Run is a free, one-day event for boys and girls ages 7-14. Competitors compete in four age groups: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14 years old. Age is determined as of July 17, 2019. The event is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball,” American Legion Post Commander Larry Vannoy said.

Participants competed in either the baseball or softball division and could advance through four levels of competition, including locals, sectionals, team championships and the national finals. American Legion members helped with the measurement and timing of events.

In addition, the 2019 American Legion baseball teams are opening their seasons after tryouts at James Clemens High School. “Potential players converged May 5 to vie for one of the positions on the roster for one of the two teams sponsored by Madison American Legion, Post 229,” Vannoy said.

Baseball players tried out from James Clemens, Bob Jones, Sparkman, Madison County and Huntsville high schools. “This tryout was for the Madison Mayhem, Varsity level (high school seniors and below) team coached by Steve Dixon,” Vannoy said.

A second varsity team has formed, the 256 Tribe with Coach Scott Clark. Regular league play has begun with games running through most of July. James Clemens will host home games. To review game schedules, visit Facebook/American Legion Post 229 or madisonlegionpost229.org.

“American Legion Baseball is a national institution, having thrived through a world war, several national tragedies and times of great prosperity, as well as great despair,” Vannoy said. “The baseball league still stands behind the traditional values upon which it was founded in 1925.”

Madison American Legion Post 229 meets monthly on second Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Lunar Lodge, 740 Eastview Drive in Madison. For more information, mail American Legion, Post 229, Post Adjutant Stacey Harring, P.O. Box 194, Madison AL 35758; call 256-258-8534; or visit americanlegionpost229.org Facebook/American Legion Post 229.