"Sportsmanship - citizenship - fitness"
First, a little bit About Post 735...
The American Legion Post 735 in Hiawatha, Iowa (207 Robins Road) was founded in 1998 and it established an Auxiliary in 2011. Post 735 is the home post for over 100+ veterans, including Medal of Honor recipient Sal Giunta. Please visit the Post website for more information. Our team is deeply appreciative of the support of the Post. It is an honor to complete on behalf of the American Legion. The Friends of Warrior Baseball, the non-profit booster club of Warrior Baseball, and Post 735 began a tradition in 2016 by designating a specific home doubleheader as Veterans Appreciation Night, at which the Post 735 colorguard presented the colors for the evening, veterans were recognized and thanked and local young men and women began their first official step towards service by raising their right hand and taking the oath of enlistment. This tradition has continued to the present.
Post 735 Warriors baseball history
Post 735 Warriors were founded in 2016 and the team is comprised of players from the Cedar Rapids Washington High School baseball program and coached by current/former Washington baseball parents. The Post 735 Warriors have earned Area Championships in 2021 and 2022, along with appearances at the Department (state) tournaments.
The normal home venue of the Post 735 Warriors is Warrior Field, graciously provided for our use by Cedar Rapids Washington High School. Warrior Field is located at 2205 Forest Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The normal home venue of the Post 735 Warriors is Warrior Field, graciously provided for our use by Cedar Rapids Washington High School. Warrior Field is located at 2205 Forest Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
About Legion Baseball...
American Legion Baseball is one of several youth programs sponsored by the American Legion. The baseball program was founded in 1925 with the primary purpose/scope of helping teach active citizenship, sportsmanship, loyalty, team spirit, and good health. (more on Legion baseball history)
The true essence behind Legion baseball is captured by The Legion Baseball Code of Sportsmanship:
"I will:
Keep the rules.
Keep faith with my teammates.
Keep my temper.
Keep myself fit.
Keep a stout heart in defeat.
Keep my pride under in victory.
Keep a sound soul, a clean mind, and a healthy body."
American Legion Baseball alumni have gone on to success in an array of fields, not to mention 82 alumni who are MLB Hall of Fame members and over half of the current MLB players.
FAQs regarding Post 735 Warriors baseball:
So, American Legion Baseball (ALB) is just another preseason/spring baseball league?
No. American Legion Baseball (ALB) is not a preseason program and not a peer of Cornshuckers, PG, etc. ALB is a fully formed program, complete with a sanctioning/governing body, local/state/national tournament, certified umpires and a lineage of former players that includes 82 MLB Hall of Fame inductees (far and away more than any other baseball program). This is not a program the players should view as a early chance to "find their swing" or "get in shape" in preparation for high school baseball.
Are all the players from Washington High School?
Yes. We are a school-based team, officially registered with the American Legion. For that reason, competition for roster spots is limited to Washington High School players.
Who decides which players make the roster?
First and foremost, no player is guaranteed a roster spot. Ultimately, the decision is made by the Post 735 coaching staff. We do accept and strongly consider input from the high school coaching staff. While many may view Legion baseball as pre-season work for high school, this is THE season for Legion baseball and we expect the players to not only participate fully, but do what is expected to earn and keep a roster spot, that being: show the willingness to put in the work, be coachable (listen, learn and execute), do both the little and big things as well as you can, be a good teammate, work through adversity, and improve. The evaluation and tryout period starts on day 1 with winter workouts in the gym - we would much rather have a modestly-skilled ballplayer who works hard, is coachable and is a respectful team player than a highly-skilled ballplayer who phones it in, is on his own program and is out for individual stats.
Can all grades participate?
Competition for roster spots is open to all current and future Washington players. This means players who are students at Washington or, in some cases, students at a Washington feeder school (McKinley, Franklin) are eligible for American Legion baseball. As a matter of fact, Post 735 Warrior past rosters have included 8th graders and freshmen. By rules, players for the 2023 season must be born between 2004 and 2010 (inclusive of 2004 and 2010).
What does it cost?
The Post covers all the registration and insurance costs. A player fee will cover costs associated with game balls, umpires, field fees (if any), field supplies (chalk, clay, diamond dry, top dressing, etc.) and any uniform costs. There is also the potential for weekend travel, possibly involving hotel, food and gas costs, which is not covered by the Post or the player fee.
Do you accommodate special drills or other activities?
Obviously, if you have a injury or rehab issue, we defer to medical instructions as we have no intent of aggravating an injury or delaying a player's recovery and return to full participation. When it comes to team drills and learning/executing different techniques and skills, you will be expected to be coachable - listen, learn and execute. There are many sources of advice out there, ranging from YouTube and family members to outside coaches and private instructors. Some of that advice has value, some doesn't, but none of it is in 100% alignment with how it is done on this team. Be certain of this: none of them fill out the Post 735 Warriors lineup card - leave the external input at the door and be coachable (listen, learn and execute).
Can a player participate in winter and spring sports/activities?
Yes. We understand in-season sports take priority for practices and games/meets. We also understand there are mandatory class events with impact on grades (concerts, etc.). However, when no conflict exists with a mandatory event, we expect full participation. This demands strong time management - playing Legion baseball is a privilege, not a right, and we expect that to be factored into the prioritization of players' time.
How should a player raise a question or concern?
Players are who we expect to discuss questions/concerns about position, playing time, batting order, etc., not parents. There is no quicker way to spoil the opportunities for a player than for a parent to start badgering a coach. No matter how nicely it is done, parents asking about playing time, what their player can improve upon, etc, negates the opportunity for the player to be a part of developing the interpersonal skills to address a question or concern to one of the coaches as well as provide answers to parents (such as, "Coach and I talked. I need to work harder and show better footwork at second base to earn more playing time. Coach showed me what I've been doing wrong, so now it's on me to fix it.").
Is there anything unique about Legion baseball?
Yes. Most notably, American Legion baseball has a code of sportsmanship (above). A key element to the code is personal discipline and respect. Disrespectful conduct towards teammates, opponents, and umpires is 100% not allowed and will be handled immediately and respectfully (privately) by the coaching staff. Misconduct can be grounds for immediate removal from a game, either by an umpire or one of the coaches. It also has potential for dismissal from the team, but our desired approach is to handle such indiscretions as teaching moments. Baseball is a competitive sport and good teams have players with passion and passion can lead to disagreements. If there is a reason for disagreement, let the coaching staff handle the matter appropriately. Do not let tempers rule your decision process.
Do players have a service/volunteer commitment?
Absolutely. American Legion Post 735 puts financial resources behind this opportunity and there will be opportunities for players to reciprocate by supporting the Post. Most specifically, the Avenue of Flags is conducted on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day. This is how the Post raises funds to pay for programs such as Legion Baseball. This is a commitment in the morning and evening, putting out and picking up full-size flags in and around the Hiawatha and Robins area. Each player/family is required to support at least one of these holidays and, as a team, we aim to have at least 3 players/families supporting each of the 5 Avenue of Flags days. The Post supports our team, so we will support them.
Why American Legion Baseball? What makes American Legion Baseball unique?
Listen carefully to the gentlemen below and you will hear lessons, characteristics, and traits that are proven to create solid, dependable and successful young men, on and off the field.
The true essence behind Legion baseball is captured by The Legion Baseball Code of Sportsmanship:
"I will:
Keep the rules.
Keep faith with my teammates.
Keep my temper.
Keep myself fit.
Keep a stout heart in defeat.
Keep my pride under in victory.
Keep a sound soul, a clean mind, and a healthy body."
American Legion Baseball alumni have gone on to success in an array of fields, not to mention 82 alumni who are MLB Hall of Fame members and over half of the current MLB players.
FAQs regarding Post 735 Warriors baseball:
So, American Legion Baseball (ALB) is just another preseason/spring baseball league?
No. American Legion Baseball (ALB) is not a preseason program and not a peer of Cornshuckers, PG, etc. ALB is a fully formed program, complete with a sanctioning/governing body, local/state/national tournament, certified umpires and a lineage of former players that includes 82 MLB Hall of Fame inductees (far and away more than any other baseball program). This is not a program the players should view as a early chance to "find their swing" or "get in shape" in preparation for high school baseball.
Are all the players from Washington High School?
Yes. We are a school-based team, officially registered with the American Legion. For that reason, competition for roster spots is limited to Washington High School players.
Who decides which players make the roster?
First and foremost, no player is guaranteed a roster spot. Ultimately, the decision is made by the Post 735 coaching staff. We do accept and strongly consider input from the high school coaching staff. While many may view Legion baseball as pre-season work for high school, this is THE season for Legion baseball and we expect the players to not only participate fully, but do what is expected to earn and keep a roster spot, that being: show the willingness to put in the work, be coachable (listen, learn and execute), do both the little and big things as well as you can, be a good teammate, work through adversity, and improve. The evaluation and tryout period starts on day 1 with winter workouts in the gym - we would much rather have a modestly-skilled ballplayer who works hard, is coachable and is a respectful team player than a highly-skilled ballplayer who phones it in, is on his own program and is out for individual stats.
Can all grades participate?
Competition for roster spots is open to all current and future Washington players. This means players who are students at Washington or, in some cases, students at a Washington feeder school (McKinley, Franklin) are eligible for American Legion baseball. As a matter of fact, Post 735 Warrior past rosters have included 8th graders and freshmen. By rules, players for the 2023 season must be born between 2004 and 2010 (inclusive of 2004 and 2010).
What does it cost?
The Post covers all the registration and insurance costs. A player fee will cover costs associated with game balls, umpires, field fees (if any), field supplies (chalk, clay, diamond dry, top dressing, etc.) and any uniform costs. There is also the potential for weekend travel, possibly involving hotel, food and gas costs, which is not covered by the Post or the player fee.
Do you accommodate special drills or other activities?
Obviously, if you have a injury or rehab issue, we defer to medical instructions as we have no intent of aggravating an injury or delaying a player's recovery and return to full participation. When it comes to team drills and learning/executing different techniques and skills, you will be expected to be coachable - listen, learn and execute. There are many sources of advice out there, ranging from YouTube and family members to outside coaches and private instructors. Some of that advice has value, some doesn't, but none of it is in 100% alignment with how it is done on this team. Be certain of this: none of them fill out the Post 735 Warriors lineup card - leave the external input at the door and be coachable (listen, learn and execute).
Can a player participate in winter and spring sports/activities?
Yes. We understand in-season sports take priority for practices and games/meets. We also understand there are mandatory class events with impact on grades (concerts, etc.). However, when no conflict exists with a mandatory event, we expect full participation. This demands strong time management - playing Legion baseball is a privilege, not a right, and we expect that to be factored into the prioritization of players' time.
How should a player raise a question or concern?
Players are who we expect to discuss questions/concerns about position, playing time, batting order, etc., not parents. There is no quicker way to spoil the opportunities for a player than for a parent to start badgering a coach. No matter how nicely it is done, parents asking about playing time, what their player can improve upon, etc, negates the opportunity for the player to be a part of developing the interpersonal skills to address a question or concern to one of the coaches as well as provide answers to parents (such as, "Coach and I talked. I need to work harder and show better footwork at second base to earn more playing time. Coach showed me what I've been doing wrong, so now it's on me to fix it.").
Is there anything unique about Legion baseball?
Yes. Most notably, American Legion baseball has a code of sportsmanship (above). A key element to the code is personal discipline and respect. Disrespectful conduct towards teammates, opponents, and umpires is 100% not allowed and will be handled immediately and respectfully (privately) by the coaching staff. Misconduct can be grounds for immediate removal from a game, either by an umpire or one of the coaches. It also has potential for dismissal from the team, but our desired approach is to handle such indiscretions as teaching moments. Baseball is a competitive sport and good teams have players with passion and passion can lead to disagreements. If there is a reason for disagreement, let the coaching staff handle the matter appropriately. Do not let tempers rule your decision process.
Do players have a service/volunteer commitment?
Absolutely. American Legion Post 735 puts financial resources behind this opportunity and there will be opportunities for players to reciprocate by supporting the Post. Most specifically, the Avenue of Flags is conducted on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day. This is how the Post raises funds to pay for programs such as Legion Baseball. This is a commitment in the morning and evening, putting out and picking up full-size flags in and around the Hiawatha and Robins area. Each player/family is required to support at least one of these holidays and, as a team, we aim to have at least 3 players/families supporting each of the 5 Avenue of Flags days. The Post supports our team, so we will support them.
Why American Legion Baseball? What makes American Legion Baseball unique?
Listen carefully to the gentlemen below and you will hear lessons, characteristics, and traits that are proven to create solid, dependable and successful young men, on and off the field.