American Legion baseball returns to Syracuse after 50 years

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Baseball and patriotism are often hand in hand with one another as one of America’s greatest pastimes. And now returning to Syracuse for the first time in 50 years isthe American Legion Post 1468 baseball team.

“So, it’s exciting, everybody in New York State is excited to have it back here in Syracuse. Syracuse has such a great baseball history and baseball tradition,” Charles Iavarone, the baseball manager for American Legion Post 1468, said.

It’s a league about so much more than baseball, with the program instilling the values of sportsmanship, community service and simply having fun doing something you love.

“We want kids to play baseball. We want them to do that. We want them out here a couple of hours each night, practicing their craft and learning how to be good citizens in the community,” Iavarone said.

Plus, the American Legion roots means honoring patriotism too.

“We are hoping to teach them community value, service to country, respect for country, one thing is every game is led with the national anthem, every single game we lead with the national anthem,” Iavarone added.

The American Legion Post 1468 baseball team is a 100% volunteer based coaching staff. The team is looking for help coaching, and also to fill roster spots on their teams.

It’s a melting pot of players with kids from all around Onondaga County. Players that are grateful to play for something meaningful and eager to see what the experience will bring.

It’s a past time returning to the present and building a future.

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