End The Problem for Good!

The Legion problem with eligibility needs to be addressed in the following fashion, once and for all. Each AD or Coach needs to take the time to research the Home address/ High School of all players in their Area/ District. The other side of the equation is the State Legion Officials need to set up a list of players from which each team can draw from. This information can then be kept for record. If the player moves, then a new research must be completed in order for that player to be eligible. This will also keep all parties involved, out of trouble in the future. If a team needs a release from another team, the info is available and can be kept with the Team’s Form 2’s. The Legion Teams that don’t take the time to complete this task, deserve whatever comes their way.

 

I think they are already suppose to do that.

 

One aspect of this that needs not repair is deciding the Post for which a kid can legally play. I realize that there are transfer issues, but a situation like Rowan experienced should NEVER happen. The national rules of Am Legion state the following:

To determine the nearest team,use the shortest driving distance as calculated by DeLorme, Street Atlas USA® 2004 computer program. This computer program will calculate the quickest time or shortest driving distance. The American Legion shall use the shortest driving distance (miles) to determine the closest team. Any dispute over player eligibility shall be determined by the Department Baseball Committee using the DeLorme Street Atlas program.​

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Hey...all an Athletic Director needs to do is spend 30 minutes checking his roster with this program. All proximity issues are quickly settled by typing in the address of the Base School & the address of each athlete. If there is any doubt, type in the address of the Base School of other Legion teams. That computer program will clarify eligibility in black & white.​

 

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How much trouble is it to find out if 18 kids are legal or illegal....Make no bones about it ...these coaches know where these guys are from....where they live...where they went to school.....they try to bend the rules and they got caught...I hate it for the players that had nothing to do with it

 

Carolina, I don't know where you are coming from, but in the Rowan case a kid played for a Rowan county school whose kids always had played for Rowan Legion. But he lived on the edge of the county & unbeknownst to anyone was 2 miles closer to Mocksville's base school.

Mocksville had NEVER used a kid from Rowan or claimed that territory...In fact, they don't want those kids...But some butthole after the season filed an anonymous complaint. Gutless move & ridiculous ruling in my eyes.

But Rowan could have avoided that by using the map program I mentioned above. I'm certain in the future they will.

 

thanks for setting me straight on the Rowan issue...I was'nt aware of what happen down there. That does sound pretty weak

 

We have the same situation in Area I East. A few of the players at the north end of the county are only a few miles, or less, from being closer to Wilson. They don't care to play there. They'd rather play for a far superior program.

Coaches just assume that people who live in that county are going to be on that team. Someone could live in the county, reside across the stree from the school, yet be "illegal" because he is living with his grandmother, and she's not his legal guardian. How is a coach supposed to know that? You need to be careful. I wouldn't turn in anyone on this if I thought it in accidental but, if someone is illegal, the officials have to follow the rules.

I believe everyone is going to make sure everything is square next year. No unpleasant surprises.

 

I agree with everything that has been stated,,, but I don't really see that theres a major problem with legion eligibility either.

These are not new rules. Most team officials who are actively involved with their teams all know the rules concerning legion eligibility. The Garner issue in 2004 was unfortunate, but I truly believe the Rowan thing in 2005 was simply an oversight by the Rowan officials (in fact Rowan folks admitted they just assumed instead of checking it out).

Anytime anyone ever gets on this message board and asks a question about eligibility, I've always either tried to give an answer or advised folks who they could ask,,, to MAKE SURE you are legal. Some folks always look for reasons to line up and condemn legion officials for enforcing rules or handing down punishments,,,,, but in all fairness, my question is this,,, when teams break the rules, what are the legion officials supposed to do?

Legion eligibility really isn't a major problem, its just been magnified the past couple years because of 2 popular legion programs being involved. These instances can be reduced even further if teams simply take it more seriously at the "team level" before outsiders get involved...

 

:229031_ha I dont care what all the others say.. your pretty smart in my book...for a cabarrus co. guy... :imagestor