Wyoming Celebrates The 100th Anniversary of American Legion Baseball

The vision of former Army Major John Griffith, American Legion Baseball was born on July 17, 2025. Just seven years after World War I, Griffith understood the need for physically fit patriots to answer the nation’s call if needed. After he addressed the American Legion Department of South Dakota convention, a resolution was passed, and American Legion Baseball was born.

Griffith said,

“There is nothing in our national life which stresses certain qualities that are expressed in our athletics. Intelligent courage, fighting instinct, and cooperation are some of the things which I believe are visibly expressed in our athletic games. American Legion posts, as a matter of citizenship training, could easily carry on such athletic activities throughout the United States.”

By 1926, more than 52,000 players had participated in the program. Over the years, more than 10 million young people have played American Legion Baseball. Over 50 percent of Major League players and over 75 percent of college players came from American Legion Baseball. Over its first century, 87 percent of Major League Baseball Hall of Famers played in American Legion Baseball.

Today, there are over 5,000 teams and more than 72,000 players from all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, in American Legion Baseball. In 2010, Shelby, NC, was selected as the permanent home of the American Legion Baseball World Series.

This week, Wyoming celebrates American Legion Baseball. The Cowboy State crowned its first champion in 1928, which was Cheyenne Post Six. We’re still a few years away from that celebration in Wyoming. Throughout the years, four American Legion Baseball players have gone on to play at the MLB level: Mike Devereaux, Mark Lee, Mike Lansing, and Brandon Nimmo, who is still active. Overall, 42 Wyoming High School graduates and American Legion players have signed minor league contracts. More than 1,000 Legion players from Wyoming have gone on to play college baseball.

Read More Wyoming Legion Baseball News from WyoPreps

WYOPREPS CLASS B LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT 2025

WYOPREPS CLASS C LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT 2025

WYOPREPS A PLAYOFF SERIES SCOREBOARD

WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL STANDINGS ON 7-14-25

Get our free mobile app

Back in 2020, Wyoming was one of six states in the country to start and finish its American Legion baseball season during the COVID-19 epidemic. The Cowboy State was the first to start playing that year.

In 2023, another milestone occurred when Cheyenne Post Six won the Region 7 Tournament and became the first Wyoming team to advance to the Legion World Series, where they finished in the top four.

Thursday, July 17, 2025, was a National Day of Recognition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of a program steeped with history and tradition. It’s a milestone truly worth celebrating. Congratulations to all who are and have been involved

Wyoming American Legion Baseball State Commissioner Jack Sims contributed significantly to this article.

Below is a proclamation from Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon celebrating July 17, 2025, as “American Legion Baseball Day” in the state. Not every team played on Thursday, but all teams are celebrating the anniversary this week.