Legion baseball has been a staple in Lebanon for many decades.  But the long association with American Legion Baseball has come to an end.  Philosophical and scheduling difficulties as well as increasing financial demands have regretfully led to this decision.  We just weren't on the same page anymore.  We had to go another way.

But, as one door closes, another opens and we found our neighbors, the Schuylkill-Berks League, who, a year earlier, after dealing with the same issues and came to the same conclusion - leave legion.  Based on their previous successful experience being independent during the COVID year, they again went on their own last year, so they knew the "do's and don'ts".  Again, they were successful.

While they overcame the same legion obstacles we faced, what we liked most about them was their commitment to players first and are sensitive to the concerns of parents.  Ergo it was obvious.  A merger with them was a "no brainer".

With this merger, in addition to becoming part of a 12-team league covering three counties, we now are part of a 501c3 organization which means teams who wish to donate to us can enjoy tax exempt status.  In addition, we'll have tax accounting and legal advice at our disposal as needed.

The league is divided into three divisions.  The East – Conrad Weiser, Hamburg, Muhlenberg, and the Wildcats (Fleetwood and Schuylkill Valley School Districts.  The West – 5^th Ward AC (Lebanon), Campbelltown, Myerstown, and Richland.  The North – Pine Grove, Schuylkill Valley, Southern Area (Blue Mountain and Schuylkill Haven School Districts) and Valley View (Tri Valley and Williams Valley School Districts).

League play will begin June 1 and end July 24.  The three division winners and the top seed will advance to an eight-team double elimination tournament for the league championship.  The remaining eight teams will play four “best of three” play in qualifiers.  The winners will complete the  Championship Tournament field. This process will give every team “two bites at the apple”.  If the season is going badly for a team, they can still shoot for the title though the “play in” process.  The tournament site will be named shortly.

In closing, we'll always be grateful for our years in American Legion Baseball, and wish them well in the future, but for now, our future is UNITED!

To follow our progress in our new league, click on www.unitedbaseball.net.