WATERTOWN, S.D. – The South Dakota American Legion Department Commander released a press release on Tuesday, May 19, saying there will be a sanctioned legion season in 2020. The state announced on May 14, that the state would sanction a season in 2020 so that local posts could sponsor teams and teams could use their jerseys with the legion patch on there. The state commission continues to find ways to have a 2020 season and it appears that there may be a chance for that. Now the South Dakota American Legion Athletic Commission is asking the teams and their coaches to get their teams registered. The commission concluded the press release by sharing their excitement for a possible return to baseball. The entire news release from the South Dakota American Legion Sports Commissioner Dan Sudbeck and the commission reads like this.
NEWS RELEASE
STATE HEADQUARTERS
THE AMERICAN LEGION
DEPARTMENT OF SOUTH DAKOTA
PO BOX 67, WATERTOWN, SD 57201
(605) 886-3604
Prepared by Fred Nelson, Commander The American Legion, Department of South
Dakota
and Distributed by Kevin Hempel – Department Adjutant – Public Relations Officer
— FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
Statement from South Dakota American Legion
Department Commander on 2020 Baseball Season
WATERTOWN – Tuesday, May 19, 2020.
This year marks the 95th anniversary of American Legion Baseball. It all
started here in South Dakota by a resolution from Milbank, South Dakota,
that was adopted at an American Legion National Convention in 1925.
This Spring, when The National American Legion canceled National American
Legion Baseball, it had many wondering if the American Legion Baseball
season would be done before it even began. After a clarification, it was
determined that American Legion Departments could, in fact, sanction State
American Legion Baseball.
On May 13th, the South Dakota executive committee adopted the following
motion.
“Motion to sanction a 2020 South Dakota American Legion Baseball Program
to be administrated by sponsoring Posts, coaches, and managers. That these
teams follow guidelines recommended by the State Athletic Commission,
which states Teams must abide by local, state, and national COVID19
policies, have insurance and have permission from city officials to play”. The
executive committee passed this motion because “It’s the right thing to do.”
The local coaches and baseball committees have stepped up to the plate and
are providing great leadership. The South Dakota American Legion
appreciates their efforts to make the 2020 season a possibility.
The South Dakota American Legion has sent information to the coaches from
last year’s registered teams, and many of them, along with their sponsoring
posts, are planning their 2020 season. We are asking to have the proof of
insurance, SD Form#2, and team rosters mailed to State Headquarters in
Watertown by June 10th, 2020.
