Local American Legion Post 64 to hold baseball tryouts

By Staff
Kim West
The commute to play American Legion baseball will be much shorter for local players thanks to a recently formed team in Russellville.
Last season eight players from Russellville and Phil Campbell played with Haleyville's Post 33, which has claimed the district championship the past two years and was the state runner-up last season.
"For the last several years, the Russellville boys had to go out of town to play American Legion baseball, and not all the kids could do that," said Greg Batchelor, who started Post 64 along with several other parents.
"We felt like we needed to offer this in our community since it's offered in the cities of Florence, Decatur and Haleyville. This will give a lot of these kids something to do during the summer and also refine their skills. It's just a good opportunity for high school kids to enjoy baseball because there's not a whole lot of choices after Little League and Dixie Youth."
Post 64 will hold tryouts for a maximum of 17 roster spots Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at the Russellville High School baseball field.
"This is an open tryout for high school players under the age of 17," said Post 64 coach Wes Todd, a former standout at Muscle Shoals who also pitched at Northwest-Shoals Community College and the University of West Georgia. "We're looking for players who are willing to work hard and looking to get better."
Todd said playing for an American Legion team allows players to face a high level of competition during the summer.
Todd said a schedule hasn't been finalized but he expects Post 92 to play 30 games in June and July.
Todd will be the team's head coach, while his younger brother, Rusty Todd, a pitcher at Northwest-Shoals, will serve as assistant coach. For more information about tryouts or becoming a team sponsor, contact Wes Todd at (256) 483-5180 or Greg Batchelor at (256) 810-3493.