With an alumni base that includes more than half of current Major League Baseball players, American Legion Baseball is one of the most prominent and tradition-rich amateur athletic leagues in existence.

The program is always growing and participation is easy so there’s ample opportunity for new players to join, for coaches who want to start a team, for umpires, and for individuals or groups interested in volunteering. 

American Legion Baseball has a long history in Alabama. The league strives to provide a good mix of flexible schedules and good competition. The season typically begins after the academic school year ends which is near the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The state tournament is normally held in mid-July. The possibility of advancing to the American Legion World Series tournament is available to teams that can advance through the tournament levels. The season offers both full and part time play. The program has league focused teams, tournament teams and hybrid organizations.

Regular season and tournament games are held within the State of Alabama. The American Legion is run as a not for profit league with the goal of improving our young people within a positive, competitive environment while preparing our players for high school and collegiate level play.

The Baseball program offers opportunities in three age divisions: Junior Varsity, Varsity and 19U for state championships.  The 19U division state champion can advance to Regional tournament and possibly the American Legion World Series. 

The Junior Varsity division is designed for the rising 10th grade and younger player. 

The Varsity division is open for all players with at least one remaining season of High School athletic eligibility. 

The 19U (Senior Division) division is designed for recent high school graduates and younger players with a possibility that some prior year graduated players may be eligible.

The American Legion will observe a January 1st cut-off date. Thirteen (13) year olds are the youngest players in American Legion Baseball with a date of birth in 2006.

Obituary for Clifford Wayne Stacey Lt. Col. Clifford Wayne Stacey (U.S. Army Retired) (76) passed away on October 8, 2019 at his home in Gulf Shores with members of his family by his side. He is a native of Atmore. He’s preceded in death by his parents Bruce and Alice (Kearley) Stacey. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Donna K. (Richey) Stacey, five adult children; Amber Stacey (Andrew Hammerdorfer), Ashle Kazman (Steve), Shannon Stacey, Stephen Stacey, Stephanie McGhee (Dale) and nine grandchildren Ethan Kazman, Carter Kazman, Zachary Kazman, Ashton Kazman, Copper Vibbert , Megan McGhee, Andrew Clemmons, Ashlynn Clemmons, Aundrea Gates; and his brother Joe Burl Stacey. He has resided in Gulf Shores for over 15 years. Stacey graduated from ECHS in 1961, Auburn University in 1965 (bachelor’s degree in business administration), Butler University (master’s degree in business administration) in 1976 and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1979. Stacey has a long-established military service record, including commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army into the Adjutant General Corps from Auburn, assignments to Ft. Benning, Ga., Ft. Harrison, Ind., Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., Ft. Hood, Texas, Ft. Knox, Ky., Ft. Bragg, N.C., Vietnam, Okinawa, Japan and South Korea. He had several staff duties and commands. Stacey served as leadership instructor in U.S. Army schools, numerous Army task forces and retired from active duty in 1991 with over 25 years of service. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), defense meritorious service medal, meritorious service medal with three OLC and Army commendation medal. He was the human resources director for the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and Centennial Olympic Park from 1992-2004. He also was a co-owner and operator of sporting goods retail store from 1994-2002. He is a life member of the American Legion Gulf Shores Post 44 for more than 20 years and has served in many officer roles locally, state and nationally, to include Department Commander in 2014-2015. Additionally, he’s a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron No. 44, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7016 in Atmore and other disabled and Vietnam Veterans organizations. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores, associated member of the Marine Corps League and member of the Military Officers Association of America. In lieu of flowers, Wayne has requested donations be made to The American Legion Department of Alabama Veterans’ Retreat, P.O. Box 1069, Montgomery, AL 36101. This was Wayne’s wish and it shows just how much he loved our brothers and sisters in arms.