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After more than a 25-year vacation, American Legion baseball is returning to Petersburg this summer.
Petersburg
Post 2, with support and cooperation from the Petersburg Generals, will
field a competitive American Legion baseball team and play home games
at the beautiful Petersburg Sports Complex while competing in the
Eleventh District.
The
Post 2 Admirals will draw players from their base school Dinwiddie,
plus Prince George, Petersburg, Sussex, Brunswick and possibly Hopewell
High Schools with players from private schools supplementing the
roster.
The
team will increase the opportunity for Post 2 to expand membership and
influence the entire region. Last winter, Post 2 was invited to become
involved in the American Legion Baseball Program, but waited a year to
put everything in place to have a quality program. The Petersburg
Generals have stepped to the plate to supply uniforms and a home field,
the Sons of American Legion (S.A.L) has plans for a Brunswick stew
fundraiser to assist and Post 2 will pick up the tab to pay for the
umpires.
“Within
two years Post 2 will have a competitive American Legion baseball team
that will compete with anyone in the region or state”, explained Post 2
S.A.L member Harry Marsh, who has agreed to serve as the team’s
business manager. “And
with the Petersburg Generals serving as a baseball home for Post 2,
Petersburg can enter the selection process to host District, State,
Regional and National American Legion Baseball tournaments in the
future”, added Larry Toombs, President of the Petersburg Generals.
The
Post 2 Admirals will play at the Petersburg Sports Complex, which has
seating for 2,500 fans, large and clean restrooms, locker rooms with
showers, concession stands with good food at reasonable prices, quality
sound system, special umpire dressing rooms and plenty of free parking.
The local team will also benefit from a well-maintained grass infield,
indoor and outdoor batting cages and a knowledgeable coaching staff.
"This
is a win-win situation for the entire area”, stated Post 2 Commander
Ruben Flowers. “Post 2 has recently expanded its Legion Home. This
baseball program will introduce the American Legion to many young men
and their families”.
“The
team and fan base will be a boost to business in the entire Petersburg
area. American Legion baseball is a national tradition and the
Petersburg Sports Complex is great place to play home games”, added
Marsh. “It will be an honor for young players to wear Post 2 Admiral
uniforms. There will be a lot of exciting American Legion baseball at
the Complex. The Post 2 Admirals and the Petersburg Sports Complex will
be the best opportunity for local talent to be seen by college coaches
and pro scouts. The coaches and scouts know the way to the Petersburg
Sports Complex”.
The
Post 2 Admirals will hold open tryouts in May after the high school
season ends and officially take the field for the first time on
Saturday, June 6th. A strong coaching staff will be
announced in the spring, as well as the official regular season
schedule. Along with 11 regular season home games and 11 away games,
Post 2 is considering a pre-season warm-up tournament and exhibition
games against local semi-pro teams.
Post
2 will have an official website with roster information, schedules,
statistics and more, but for up to the minute information visit the
Petersburg Generals website at www.petersburgsports.com or call our office at (804) 722-0141. The
Petersburg Generals are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the
nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its
thirteenth season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing
in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college
players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats.
Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past
experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For
more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league
website at www.coastalplain.com.
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