2021 American Legion Baseball awards announced

The American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award is awarded annually to an American Legion Baseball player at the American Legion World Series. The presentation is made to that player who compiles the highest number of total bases in Regional and World Series competition

The 2021 American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award goes to: Jackson McCoy from Tupelo (Miss.) Post 49 with 22 total bases.

Since 1945, the American Legion Baseball program has presented an American Legion Baseball Slugger trophy annually to the player compiling the highest batting average during national competition; a minimum of 12 plate appearances is required in both Region and World Series competition.

The 2021 American Legion Baseball Slugger Award goes to Kobe Senn from Fargo (N.D.) Post 400, who compiled a .542 batting average in national competition.

American Legion Baseball lost a dynamic leader during the 1970 season. In his memory, the National Americanism Commission established the Dr. Irvin L. (Click) Cowger RBI Memorial Award. The recipient of this annual award is the American Legion Baseball player who is credited with the most runs batted in by the official scorers at the respective Regional tournament and World Series.

The 2021 Click Cowger RBI award goes to Stone Collier and Easton Hood, both from Tupelo (Miss.) Post 49. Each compiled 13 RBIs in national competition.

American Legion Baseball's first graduate to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., was “Rapid Robert” Feller. This award is presented annually to the pitcher who has the most strikeouts in Regional and World Series Competition.

The 2021 Bob Feller Pitching Award goes to Aaron Savary from Dubuque County (Iowa) Post 137, who compiled 25 strikeouts in national competition.

The James Daniels Sportsmanship Award is presented annually in memory of a long-time dedicated supporter of the American Legion Baseball program from South Carolina. This award is presented to a World Series player who best represents teamwork, loyalty, cooperation, self-reliance, fair play and courage.

The 2021 James Daniels Sportsmanship Award goes to Stone Collier from Tupelo (Miss.) Post 49.

The George W. Rulon American Legion Player of the Year Award is presented annually in memory of a long-time dedicated director of the American Legion Baseball program for 25 years. The award is based on integrity, mental attitude, cooperation, citizenship, sportsmanship, scholastic aptitude and general good conduct.  The recipient will attend the 2022 National Baseball Hall of Fame Classic game next year in Cooperstown, N.Y.

The 2021 George W. Rulon American Legion Player of the Year Award goes to Nate Rose from Idaho Falls (Idaho) Post 56.

Based on players' performance and character on and off the field, the following players have been selected to the American Legion World Series All-Tournament Team.

The 2021 American Legion World Series All-Tournament Team:

Designated Hitter: William Foglietta from Beverly, MA

Utility Player: Noah Foster from Tupelo, MS

Catcher: Tate Gustafson from Fargo, ND

First Base: Shawn Cameron from Ridge, MD

Second Base: Ty Yukumoto from Honolulu, HI

Third Base: Mac Jephson from Idaho Falls, ID

Shortstop: Nate Rose from Idaho Falls, ID

Outfield: Ky Howell from Idaho Falls, ID

Outfield: Brennan Frost from Beverly, MA

Outfield: Demetri Jamison from Ridge, MD

Pitcher: David Oswalt from Tupelo, MS

Pitcher: Merit Jones from Idaho Falls, ID

Pitcher: Josh Aribal from Honolulu, HI

During The American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C., Friday, the annual All-Academic Team was announced. The team is sponsored by Diamond Sports, a leading manufacturer in baseball merchandise and the official baseball used during Legion national tournaments.

In order for a player to be eligible, he or she must be nominated by his or her post-affiliated team manager or head coach to the department baseball committee. Each department's baseball committee has reviewed submitted applications and selected an overall state winner to receive a $500 scholarship.

The state winners have been reviewed by the World Series Scholarship Committee comprised of Legionnaires and academic representatives.

Each player on the team receives a $2,500 scholarship. An overall top academic player is named the team captain and awarded a $5,000 scholarship.

The presentation was made by Vice Chairman of the Committee on Youth Education, James Davis of West Virginia.

The winners are:

2021 All-Academic Team Captain – Dylan Owens, from Jacksonville, FL, Post 283

Northeast – Zachary Stabel, from Barre, VT, Post 10

Mid-Atlantic – Johnny Oates, from Colonial Heights, VA , Post 284

Southeast – Isaiah Raing, from Evans, GA, Post 192

Mid-South – Cole Kreber, from Omaha, NE, Post 1

Great Lakes – Drew Sowerwine, from Troy, IL, Post 708

Central Plains – Tucker Bouche, from Oconto Falls, WI, Post 302

Northwest – William Prayner, from Wasilla, AK, Post 35

Western – Julian Blake, from Marquette, MI, Post 44