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AABC BASEBALL
The American Baseball Congress was founded in March, 1935, with the assistance of the Athletic Institute. Its first national tournament was conducted in Dayton, Ohio, in September of 1935. Since that time, the American Amateur Baseball Congress has been a ladder on which hundreds of players have climbed to professional baseball fame. But primarily, it has remained a means of stimulating better hometown or neighborhood baseball.
Its start was modest, with only ten states represented. Since 1935, it has become national in scope, including Canada and Puerto Rico, in seven age divisions.
The American Baseball Congress suspended inter-state competition in 1942 at the request of the Office of Defense Transportation, to conserve public transportation during the war effort. Many of its Associations continued operating on a limited scale during the war, and national competition was resumed in 1946.
The Corporation name was amended to the American Amateur Baseball Congress in December, 1955.
In 1941, the American Baseball Congress established a "Minor" Division for players 18 and under. This was suspended during World War II and not revived until 1951, when it increased rapidly in size. On December 23, 1954, the 92nd birthday of the late Connie Mack, the name of the "Minor" Division was changed officially to the Connie Mack Division" in recognition of "Mr. Baseball's" lifelong and continued interest in young players, professional and amateur.
The former "Major Division" was renamed the "Stan Musial Division" in 1963, honoring the great Cardinal Player shortly after his announced retirement from active play.
Five additional age Divisions have been added: Mickey Mantle (16 and under) and Sandy Koufax (14 and under) in 1968; Pee Wee Reese (12 and under) in 1971; Willie Mays (10 and under) in 1976; and Roberto Clemente (8 and under) in 1989.
For further information contact the AABC at AABC@aabc.us
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