Why American Legion Baseball?
“(Legion Baseball) had an impact on my career because it was the first time I got to play against older kids. The competition is a step up from high school. The friendships you make through Legion Baseball last a lifetime.” - Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, who played for Post 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada
The league still stands behind the traditional values upon which it was founded in 1925. American Legion Baseball has taught hundreds of thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship. With an alumni base that includes more than half of current Major League Baseball players (such as current stars Albert Pujols, Madison Bumgarner and Justin Verlander) American Legion Baseball is one of the most prominent and tradition-rich amateur athletic leagues in existence.
With nearly 4,000 teams from all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, American Legion Baseball is the only program of its kind. Legion Baseball offers opportunities for quality competition in a structured format and team travel to invitational, state, regional and national tournaments. The Legion Baseball World Series games are live-streamed on ESPN3 with the championship game televised live on ESPNU.
Why the Cabot Legion Baseball program?
The current Cabot American Legion Baseball Program (CALB) began in 2005, focusing on the importance of developing young athletes and baseball players while also attempting to form teams that are competitive on the field. Since 2005; over 50 players have moved on to play college baseball - University of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech, Henderson University, Clarke College, Arkansas Baptist, University of Arkansas Little Rock, University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Williams Baptist, Central Baptist College, Ouachita Baptist University, Crowder University, College of the Ozarks, Northern Oklahoma College in Enid, Allen County Community College, Northark, and Northeast Texas.
Our local program offers a college scholarship each year to a qualified senior player. The candidate must be enrolled in the CALB program his Junior and Senior year of high school and is required to show proof of enrollment at a two or four year college. The scholarship is awarded each year based on different factors including leadership and teamwork, and voted on by the CALB coaches.
Prep Legion 15U
The Cabot Prep team was added to our program in 2019. This team will provide players 15 and under the opportunity to play competitive baseball at an affordable price and to provide an easy onramp into our Junior and Senior teams. The goal of the Prep Team is to teach sound fundamentals and to lay a solid foundation for players to build upon so they can be successful in their future baseball endeavors. We will help players develop in both the physical and mental aspects of baseball. Skill Development, understanding positional play at multiple positions and further understanding the rules of the game are areas of concentration.
The 15U season will begin in early April and end the first week of June. Following the end of the season will be a State Tournament, location TBD. The number of teams and make-up of teams formed is dependent on the number of players registered. Per the Arkansas Activities Association rules for High School baseball, no high-school baseball player can participate in the 15U division. Players turning 16 on or after August 2020 do not meet the age requirement to participate on the 15U team. The number of games played will depend on the number of teams formed in our division. Most games will be played at our home field, with limited travel for away games.
Junior 17U Legion
The Junior 17 and under team allows players the opportunity to play competitive baseball at a high level, primarily players that have completed their Freshman and Sophomore year of high school.
The JR 17U season begins late May and ends mid July. The number of teams and make-up of teams formed is dependent on the number of players registered – tryouts are required for team placement. Teams usually carry a roster of about 17 – 18 players. The Cabot Park is our home field, and these teams will travel to play Zone and Non-Zone away games. The Legion Zone 2 Tournament typically begins the weekend after July 4, followed by an opportunity to advance to the State Tournament. There are also Invitational Tournaments scheduled throughout the season, such as; Cabot Memorial Day Tournament, Jacksonville Classic, and Mid-America in Little Rock Arkansas.
Senior 19U Legion
The Senior 19 and under team is comprised of the best players in the Cabot American Legion Program, primarily players that have completed their Junior and Senior year of high school. Players that have completed their Freshman year in college are eligible to play on the 19U team, provide they were on our Legion roster the prior year.
The SR 19U season begins late May and ends late July. There will only be one 19U team and tryouts are required for team placement. Teams usually carry a roster of about 17 – 18 players. The Cabot Park is our home field, and these teams will travel to play Zone and Non-Zone away games. The Legion Zone 2 Tournament typically begins the third weekend of July, followed by an opportunity to advance to the State, Regional, and World Series events.
Select 18U Legion - RailCats
The Select 18 and under program provides opportunities for our players to participate in Showcase events that will further their baseball careers. The goal is to attend four Showcase tournaments: The Perfect Game in Atlanta Georgia, Sheridan Invitational Wood Bat, Mid-America CWS in Omaha Nebraska, and Keith Hagan in Memphis Tennessee. There will only be one select team and tryouts are required. The team will carry 14 - 16 players. The tournaments will begin the end of May until the end of June.
