Facts about the history of American Legion Baseball in the Department of New Jersey.
NOTE: As we prepare to celebrate American Legion Baseball’s centennial season, we’re taking a quick look at historical facts from each Legion department which sponsors, or has sponsored, the program. Check out stories at Legion.org/Baseballat100 (or click here for the previous story) and stay up-to-date on centennial happenings using #LegionBaseball100 on social media.
New Jersey has made plenty of history in American Legion Baseball and the American Legion World Series.
One of the most notable bits of history came in 2017, when Hopewell Post 339 brought the first female to coach in the American Legion World Series to Shelby, N.C.
Allyson Coryell coached first base for the Hopewell team. “I think it’s important for (girls) to know that there’s no reason they can’t be doing what I’m doing in 10 years, that there’s no reason they can’t do whatever they want to just because they’re female. If they’re qualified, they’re qualified,” she said.
Facts about New Jersey Legion Baseball
First season of American Legion Baseball: 1928.
First state champion: Irvington.
Baseball Hall of Famers (1): Joe Medwick, Carteret, 1968.
Other notable alumni: Sean Breen, Brooklawn, 2014 Player of the Year; Sean Doolittle, Tabernacle, former major leaguer; Todd Frazier, Toms River, former major leaguer; Anthony Harrold, Brooklawn, 2013 Player of the Year; Rick Porcello, Vailsburg, former major leaguer.
American Legion World Series titles (5): Trenton Post 93, 1948; Brooklawn Post 72, 1991, 2001, 2013, 2014.
Other American Legion World Series appearances (23): Brooklawn, 1960, 1961, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2023; Caldwell, 1978; Haddon Heights, 2003; Hamilton Square, 2000; Hopewell, 2017; Lyndhurst, 1965, 1971; Trenton, 1933, 1945, 1946; West Deptford, 2003.
- Baseball