MINT HILL, NC – The sweet smell of green grass, a beautifully cut diamond infield, a crack of the bat, the hardball smacking into an oil-soaked leather glove, a pitcher focused on the mound, the hitter in the batter’s box, an umpire calling play ball, hot dogs, ice cream, family, siblings, grandparents, veterans, fans, our National Anthem: these bits of Americana can only mean one thing. The “Boys of Summer” are back!
After an entire year of not playing American Legion Baseball in 2020 due to the pandemic, the “Boys of Summer” are returning to the diamond to play ball in 2021. The season is expected to begin by June 15, and the senior team will be playing between 24-30 games this year during the summer months depending upon how deep they go into the state playoffs for the state championship to qualify for the American Legion World Series.
We again expect to have a highly competitive team with excellent local talent from Mint Hill and the surrounding area. Players from various local public, private and charter high schools will be represented as well as 1 or 2 potential local college players home for the summer who are eligible as the age limit is 19 years of age.
American Legion Baseball is a national institution that has thrived through a very humble beginning, a world war, several national tragedies, and during times of great prosperity and great despair.
The Legion program still stands behind the traditional values upon which it was founded in 1925, and it has taught thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health, and active citizenship. The program promotes equality, patriotism, and camaraderie while bringing young athletes together from different backgrounds to mold into a team to accomplish a mission while having fun and improving skills over the summer. Players can have the opportunity to showcase their talents, especially as they move into the state playoffs and beyond.
American Legion Baseball continues to be a stepping stone to manhood for young men who have gone on to serve their country, raise families or play the sport at its highest levels of competition. Thousands of college, minor league, and major league players have competed and participated in American Legion baseball since its inception, with many greats of the game inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, New York.
Baseball fans, come out and enjoy the games and support the team! A schedule will be available on the Mint Hill American Legion Post 555 website at www.ncpost555.org, on the Post 555 Facebook page, and on the team page. All home games will be played at Independence High School. The team is looking forward to seeing folks from Mint Hill and the surrounding area in attendance to enjoy a very good brand of baseball.
