American Legion Baseball is marking a major milestone in 2025 as the storied program celebrates its 100th anniversary. To honor the centennial, teams across the country, including those in Kansas, are commemorating the season with special 100-year patches as part of their uniforms.

The historic year brings not only celebration but also exciting developments in Kansas American Legion Baseball (KALB), which began just a year after the national program was founded in 1925. Since its Kansas inception in 1926, the league has continued to evolve, and this season features new initiatives and structural changes aimed at improving access and player development.

One of the most notable additions is the creation of a 15-and-under (15U) league, which joins the existing 17U and 19U programs.

“After talking with coaches and parents, we decided to start a 15U league, which coaches said would help keep team chemistry from when they are 13 years old up to when they graduate high school,” explained Joe Durham, chairman of Kansas American Legion Baseball. “KALB has a great tradition―something we are very proud of.”

With this reorganization, KALB now offers four divisions:

Class D (15U)

Class C (17U)

Class B (19U – small schools)

Class A (19U – large schools)

Teams in Class A will have the opportunity to advance to the Regional Tournament in Washington, Missouri this August. The winner from that event moves on to the prestigious American Legion World Series in Shelby, North Carolina.

Key Tournament Dates:

July 10–13: Zone Tournament window opens for 15U & 17U

July 17–20: 17U State Tournament – Topeka

July 18–21: 15U State Tournament – Wellington

July 16–20: Zone Tournament window opens for 19U

July 25–28: 19U State Tournaments – Class A in Topeka, Class B in Hiawatha

Each year, KALB awards a scholarship to one Kansas player, who then competes nationally for a chance to win a $25,000 scholarship from the American Legion.

The organization continues to embody the values of Americanism and patriotism, proudly supporting the nation’s youth and honoring the service of veterans across the country. A special Lou Gehrig Day will be recognized on June 2, further tying baseball tradition to American history.

For more information, including schedules, registration details, and updates, visit:

ksamlegionbaseball.org

kansaslegion.org/baseball

Facebook: Department of Kansas American Legion Baseball

Questions can be directed to Chairman Joe Durham at 785-202-1040.

From Joe Durham:

We held our Coaches and Managers meeting, unfortunately we had some technical issues, I am not use to wearing a mic so if I said anything inappropriately, I apologize. I will be sending out the slides we showed to all coaches and managers so you will get a chance to look at them. AS STATED ANY RULE TO DO WITH PITCHING FOR OUR JR OR SR TEAMS CAN NOT BE CHANGED.

Things we discussed:

Form 2’s along with a picture of ID still need to be sent into State Hq. Our Form 2’s are kept for 5 years then filed.
We will have a 15 U league. Pitching will be used for each age group who pitches. The maximum number of pitches for a 13 and 14 year old is 95 pitches. The following will be used.
https://www.mlb.com/pitch…/pitching-guidelines/ages-13-14
It was brought to my attention that our January meeting in 2024 we discussed 16 year olds on the 15 and under team. That will be discussed at our next meeting.

• Things we discussed, adapting the National JR rule book along with NFHS for our JR teams and our AA teams.
• Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers
• DH rule
• Electronic communication
• Re-entry rule
• Only allowed to play two games per day

Last year we made some changes coaches and parents liked, but we also made some they didn’t like. Our 15 U teams will be active this year. They will follow the NFHS rules and other protocol that is used for younger players.

The following will not be discussed as these are National Rules.

S. Pitching Rule. No player may pitch more than a total of 105 pitches per day. A pitcher will be allowed to finish a batter if he reaches or exceeds the maximum limit during an at-bat, but must exit the position after that hitter. No player may enter the game as a pitcher without having fulfilled the required rest days as mandated in the chart below.

No player may make more than two appearances as a 2023 AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL RULE BOOK 13 Daily max (pitches in game)

Required rest (pitches) 0 day 1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days ALB Senior Program 105 0-30 31-45 46-60 61-80 81+ pitcher during any consecutive three-day period. PENALTY – The pitcher is removed from the pitcher’s position and head coach shall be ejected from the game and serve an additional game suspension.

Our  17 U and 19 under will have major changes.

We listened to what coaches and managers wanted and having All Star teams for regular season tournaments has been approved with conditions. Dual rostering has been changed. We are going to continue to use social media along with emails to keep coaches and managers informed of all the changes. We are going to be using a new ID form that was approved by National.

Important Dates will be discussed.

JANUARY 2025

– (1 st) Online team registration for the 2025 season begins

– (1 st) Umpire Nominations for national tournaments due to National Headquarters

– (2 nd -5 th) American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) convention, Washington, D.C.
FEBRUARY 2025 2025 American Legion Baseball Rule Books available online

– (15th) DEADLINE for submitting ALB Booster Decal orders to National Emblem Sales MARCH 2025

– (31st ) Establishment of player’s legal domicile (parents’ domicile) and high school enrollment for grades 10, 11 & 12.

APRIL 2025

Distribute American Legion Baseball Scholarship applications to posts, coaches, and players

– (1 st) DEADLINE for orders of 2025 Official MLB Rules for June delivery

– (15th) DEADLINE for Department Rule Books to National office (email)

– (15th) Report site and date of Sr. and Jr. Department State Tournaments

– (15th) Plan “A” rezoning or new zoning filed and approved by department baseball comm

JUNE 2025

Distribute 2025 American Legion Baseball Department Championship forms to departments

JUNE 1  –  Final deadline for team registration.  NO REGISTRATION ALLOWED after this date.

– (1 st) FINAL DAY to register team applications, purchase insurance and pay registration fees for 2025 season

– (2 nd) LOU GEHRIG DAY – Suggested speech available at www.legion.org/publications

JUNE 17  –  Roster Deadline.  All teams must complete and submit their roster on baseball.legion.org.  The following must be submitted to Department Headquarters, 1314 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka KS  66612:

Player Agreement (Form 2) for each player.
Proof of age for players new to Kansas American Legion Baseball (*preferred copies of state driver’s license)
Team picture with players identified.
The following forms as necessary: Player Transfers (Form 76), Team Declarations (Form 77), and Dual Participation Requests.

JUNE 24  –  Zone assignments published on-line at www.kansaslegion.org/baseball

– (25th) DEADLINE for Team Mangers to submit online Form #1 with Department Chairman to be eligible for national tournaments

– (30th) DEADLINE for Department Baseball Chairman to approve online Form #1 with National office to be eligible for national tournaments

JULY 2025

JULY 15  –  Scholarship applications due to Department Headquarters. All teams should have one graduating senior apply.

– (15th) DEADLINE for baseball scholarship application submission to department headquarters

– (17 th) ALB Centennial Season Celebration

– (31st) DEADLINE for department chairman certify Department Champions to National office and regional tournament directors if you wish to utilize national transportation arrangements to regionals.

AUGUST 2025

– (8 th) DEADLINE Department scholarship wi