2024 American Legion World Series awards announced
The 2024 American Legion Baseball awards were announced Tuesday night after the championship game of the 97th American Legion World Series.
The American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award is awarded annually to the player who compiles the highest number of total bases in regional and ALWS competition.
The 2024 American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award goes to Sam Ovsak of Fargo (N.D.) Post 2 with 24 total bases.
Since 1945, the American Legion Baseball program has presented an American Legion Baseball Slugger trophy to the player compiling the highest batting average during national competition; a minimum of 12 plate appearances is required in regional and ALWS competition.
The 2024 American Legion Baseball Slugger Award goes to Ovsak, with a .528 batting average.
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 regionals and ALWS.
The 2024 Click Cowger RBI Award goes to Nathan Ball of Midland (Mich.) Post 165, with 13 RBIs.
American Legion Baseball’s first graduate to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., was Bob Feller. The Bob Feller Award is presented annually to the pitcher who has the most strikeouts in regional and ALWS competition.
The 2024 American Legion Baseball Pitching Award goes to Tyler Ryden of League City (Tex.) Post 554, with 39 strikeouts.
Adjutant Jack Williams led the Department of North Dakota for 49 years before his death in 1967. Aware that proper adult leadership is an important component of success, Williams encouraged qualified men to work in the program. To honor Williams' memory, this award is presented to the manager and coach of the national championship team as outstanding representatives of adult leadership.
The 2024 Jack Williams Leadership Award goes to the coaching staff of Troy (Ala.) Post 70: Ross Hixon, Hunter Mann, Tanner Wells and Matt Whitton.
The James F. Daniels Jr. Sportsmanship Award is presented in memory of a long-time dedicated supporter of the American Legion Baseball program from South Carolina. This award is presented to an ALWS player who best represents teamwork, loyalty, cooperation, self-reliance, fair play and courage. The 2024 James F. Daniels Jr. Sportsmanship Award goes to Gunner Justice of Troy (Ala.) Post 70.
The George W. Rulon American Legion Baseball 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 National Baseball Hall of Fame Classic game next year in Cooperstown, N.Y.
The 2024 George W. Rulon American Legion Baseball Player of the Year is Cayden Smith of Midland (Mich.) Post 165.
Based on players’ performance and character on and off the field, the following players have been selected to the American Legion World Series STAT BROADCAST All-Tournament Team:
First base: Nathan Ball, Midland (Mich.) Post 165
Second base: Gunner Justice, Troy (Ala.) Post 70
Third base: Jackson Higgins, League City (Tex.) Post 554
Shortstop: Cayden Smith, Midland (Mich.) Post 165
Catcher: Adam Leininger, Fargo (N.D.) Post 2
Utility: Sam Ovsak, Fargo (N.D.) Post 2
Designated hitter: Cody Walsh, Troy (Ala.) Post 70
Outfielder: Adam Robinson, Midland (Mich.) Post 165
Outfielder: Houston Markham, Troy (Ala.) Post 70
Outfielder: Blake Wynn, Troy (Ala.) Post 70
Pitcher: Tyler Ryden, League City (Tex.) Post 554
Pitcher: Chad Brown, Midland (Mich.) Post 165
Pitcher: Brady Fox, Wilmington Delvets (Del.) Post 1
