Instead, players hone their craft on teams in American Legion ball and the Pony League.

His father had been a college (Northeastern University) and semi-pro pitcher and the son became an enthusiastic Little Leaguer and then played American Legion ball.

Egan reportedly started scouting Hal Newhouser when Newhouser was playing Legion ball at age 15.

And if you don't play American Legion ball, slim chance you'll get to play major college baseball.

He had arrived at this occasion by successfully ascending all those smaller steps along the way: Little League, Legion ball, high-school ball, college ball, the minor leagues.

This summer, he is expected to pitch in American Legion ball while shooting baskets and lifting weights for football.

In four years of Legion ball, he compiled a .482 batting average, as well a .484 average in high school.

You know, the thing is, you can't go to the beach and play Legion ball if you're from Bristol.

His combined record in two seasons of American Legion ball was 16-3 with 141 strikeouts.

That's like playing American Legion ball in the losers' bracket.