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Hard Truths: American Legion Baseball Program ~ NEBRASKA

  • Writer: Stop the Take!
    Stop the Take!
  • Jul 23
  • 4 min read

For Understanding

 

  • 2000 - Resolution No. 31: American Legion Participation in Youth Programs:   That The American Legion reiterate the desire of the National Americanism Commission to encourage participation in youth programs by the membership of The American Legion; That Legionnaires at all levels be urged to serve on boards or committees whose task is to oversee programs of The American Legion; and, That The American Legion strongly request all Department Commanders and members of the National Executive Committee to urge all members of all posts to participate in the youth programs of The American Legion.

 

  • 2005 / 2016 / 2024 – The rules have been the same!   Special rules that apply to subsidiary programs of The American Legion.  The American Legion Riders programs, like The Sons of The American Legion detachments and squadrons, American Legion Baseball programs and all other programs that wear identifying marks and names are subject to Resolution No. 11, “Rules and Regulations Governing Use of the Name and Emblems of The American Legion,” adopted by the National Executive Committee, May 4-5, 2005.  The American Legion has no choice or room to maneuver in the area of trademark law, which requires “constant and continuous control” over all subsidiary programs wearing our trademarks and using our name.



Timeline: Reason behind all the “Where is the Money Questions?”


2018 (Winter)

  • In 2018, a thought-provoking article titled "Is Legion Baseball on Death Row?" was published in the Lincoln Legionnaire.  It shed light on the financial struggles faced by American Legion Post 3 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the cornerstone of the largest Legion Baseball program in the state, supporting upwards 21 teams at that time. The article discussed rising costs of field rentals, umpire fees, and maintenance had significantly outpaced revenue, with the 2017 season ending in a deficit. The article goes on to state that Team Financial Sponsors were not donating to the American Legion to support these operational costs; American Legion Post 3 was funding the program from their own reserves.   READ THE NEWSPAPER!!!!

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2018 (Summer) — Questions began being raised by American Legion Post 3 Members

  • Concerned American Legion Members begin asking for the full financial picture because they did not want it to be the end of the "Story" (the end of American Legion Baseball in Lincoln").   

  • The story shared:  Sponsors did not give money to the American Legion Post 3 but to the teams. 

    • The teams did not pay for fields or umpires so why were Team Program Fees between $250 - $650+ in 2018 to play American Legion Baseball?

    • Were sponsors even providing funding or were they just advertising off the name of the American Legion?  

  • As Post 3 Members began pushing for answers, signs of resistance began to emerge from team managers unwilling to share budgets or financial.

  • American Legion Leadership at both the Post and the Department level refused to enforce American Legion polices and uphold American Legion principals.


2018 (Fall) — American Legion Post 3 at the Support of Department of Nebraska American Legion relinquished control to a Non-Member.


2019–2023 — No Oversight by the American Legion and Rogue Teams Expand

  • Independent managers and groups continue charging American Legion Baseball Program Fees in amounts upwards of $1,200 per player in Lincoln, NE; in other parts of NE upwards of $1,600 per summer.


  • Despite using the American Legion name and emblem, these teams operate with no oversight, without budget transparency or service-based alignment.


2024 — Legionnaires Once Again Attempted to Work within the Department of NE American Legion System to reduce American Legion Program Fee burdens on Families. 

  • When sponsoring Posts upon learning that American Legion Polices were not being followed through their American Legion Baseball Program; course corrections were attempted to bring their Programs back in line with American Legion principals and guidelines.   Department Commander Issued Letter July 8, 2024.

  • The American Legion National Judge Advocate once again issued clarity on August 4, 2024


  • Some sponsoring Posts were met with extreme hostility leading to major unrest within the Department of NE and American Legion National Headquarters.


2025 (Winter) – NE Department American Legion Athletic Committee Chairman takes bold action


 

2025 (Spring) — Public Records Reveal Collusion and Retaliation

 

  • Public records obtained through Lincoln Public Schools (May 2025) reveal troubling patterns of collusion and retaliation. Documents suggest that school employees used public property and resources to support these rogue teams and allegedly threatened American Legion members who questioned the program’s legitimacy.

 

  • Correspondence between public school employees on September 23, 2024, clearly demonstrate a lack of understanding of the American Legion Baseball Program and clear disrespect for the Program as threats are made directly against American Legion Members.


  • The American Legion Department of NE Athletic Committee Chairman by issuing the January 2025 letter, was clearly influenced by special interests ignoring the rules of the American Legion and ignoring the legal responsibility of the Posts to oversight their programs. This action sends a clear message that non-members and special interests are more important than the Posts and the American Legion Membership.


    This is a direct betrayal to every Legion member who still believes in integrity over influence. The American Legion continues to question why membership is dwindling; this is why!


 

 The leadership knew the rules, they chose not to follow them!!!


Why are you charging player's Program Fees?


Where is the Money?


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