Legion Baseball Returns To Richland County

The year of 2022 marks the return of American Legion Baseball to Sidney. They had been without a team for four long years while the rest of the nation played on.

Richland County had a Legion baseball team years ago but 2018 was the last time they played. According to the American Legion Baseball website, http://www.legion.org/baseball, as of the beginning of this year Montana had 49 different teams but teams can still join until June 1. Each team must have at least 12 players between the ages of 13 and 17 (Junior League) or 18 and 19 (Senior League) and an American Legion Post number. After 2018 there just was not enough students interested in playing. A few other community members have been trying to get it back ever since. Now through word of mouth, meetings, online postings, and a little state help, the baseball team is back. Head Coach Scott Sturgis said, "I'm excited to see baseball coming back to Sidney and hoping our community comes and supports these young men. The board has been working tirelessly to bring American Legion back."

Montana students have always been able to join in Legion Baseball for as long as it has been played here but before this year, baseball had not been a school-sanctioned sport. On Jan. 17, this year, the Montana High School Association had their annual meeting in Butte. According to their website, https://www.mhsa.org, the issue was brought up and voted on. It passed and, starting next school year, high schools across Montana can add baseball to their list of sports programs.

As for this school year, the Richland County Patriots' first game is this Thursday, May 12 at 5 p.m. against the Williston Keybirds. The game will be held in Moose Park located on 7th Ave. SW, Sidney, just south of the hockey rink. Admission to the game is free and concessions will be available. More information can be found on their website, http://www.tshq.bluesombrero.com/richlandcountymtbb, or on their Facebook page.