West Hartford American Legion Post 96 Baseball
2023 19U State Champs
2023 15U State Champs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many teams does Post 96 sponsor?
Post 96 offers summer baseball team options for players 13 – 19 years old. For the summer of 2024, Post 96 will have 13U, 15U, 17U, and 19U baseball teams. The number of teams at the 13U – 17U level will be determined prior to Feb 1.
2. Who is eligible to play for West Hartford Post 96 baseball teams?
West Hartford Residents are eligible to play baseball for Post 96. Additionally, Hartford Residents that reside in the following zip codes are eligible to play for WH; 06105, 06106, 06112.
Player age is based on the calendar year. Eligible ages are 13 – 19. For example, if a player turns 17 in October of that calendar year, their playing age is 17. This player is eligible to play for the 17U and 19U team.
3. What type of schedule do the teams play?
All teams play a competitive league (Zone) and non-league schedule. All teams play in at least one non-legion tournament. Over the last several years, teams have qualified for the state tournament which starts in late July.
The Legion Program is a 5 - 6 day per week schedule which includes practices and games from the first week of June through late July and hopefully into Mid-August (postseason).
4. How many games does each team play?
Teams play 18 – 24 league games and 4 – 8 non-league games.
Teams play in at least one non-legion tournament of 3 – 6 games.
Additional tournaments may be added to schedules based on players/families’ interest/availability.
State tournament ranges from 2 – 10 games.
5. Who does West Hartford play games against?
WH 17U/19U teams are in CT Legion Zone 1 League. Teams in Zone 1: Simsbury, Avon, Bristol, Torrington. South Windsor, Ellington, RCP to name a few.
WH 15U teams are in CT Zone 3 – North Division. Teams in this Zone: Tolland, RHAM (Hebron, Andover, Marlboro), Glastonbury, EHM (East Hartford Manchester), Enfield, Ellington, RCP (Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Portland), South Windsor, Windsor Locks, Windsor.
WH 13U team is in the state division. Teams in this division: Glastonbury, Windsor Locks, Torrington, RHAM, South Windsor, RCP, Milford, East Hartford.
WH plays non-zone games vs other legion teams in the state. WH plays against AAU/travel teams in non-legion tournaments. More information may be found at: www.ctlegionbball.com
6. How often are practices?
In early June, teams typically practice every day. Practice duration ranges from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours. As the season progresses, practices are on non-game days. One off day during the week is scheduled, however, subject to change due to inclement weather. Additionally, abbreviated practices may be held prior to games.
7. Where are West Hartford Post 96 Home fields?
WH Post 96 plays home games at Hall Varsity, Hall JV, and Conard. Post 96 also has access to WHABA indoor training facility in Newington and WHYBL indoor training facility in Bloomfield.
8. Does Post 96 play at Dunkin Donuts – Yard Goat Stadium?
Yes, for the sixth consecutive year, West Hartford will host Post 96 Day at Dunkin Donuts – Yard Goat Stadium. Date for summer of 2023 is TBD. All West Hartford Post 96 teams play during this day vs other Legion teams.
9. Is there a postseason tournament?
Yes, the CT American Legion holds a State Tournament. Fortunately, over the last several years, all West Hartford teams have qualified for the state tournament. Only a portion of the teams in the league (zone) qualify for the postseason state tournament. This makes the regular season meaningful.
Playoff format is as follows (double elimination):
Opening round - winners of the opening round advance to state region.
State Region - winner advances to state finals (2 teams).
State Finals - winner advances to New England Regional.
New England Regional – winner advances to the American Legion World Series.
American Legion World Series - held in Cary, NC in Mid-August.
In 2023, the WH 19U team won the state championship and participated in the New England Regionals at Holy Cross, Worcester, MA.
The WH 17U team was a state semi-finalist and received an at-large bid to the New England Regionals in Warwick, RI.
The WH 15U team also won the state championship in 2023.
10. As for the coaches of Post 96 Baseball teams, each summer they strive to have coaches who have high school, summer baseball, college, and Legion coaching experience. They also prefer coaches who have played college baseball. In some cases, parents of players may coach if they meet the coaching experience and college playing criteria or if a team needs additional administrative support. The specific team coach assignments for the summer of 2024 will be confirmed prior to the season.
For the summer of 2024, the following coaches are planned. Specific team coach assignment will be confirmed prior to the season. Additional coaches will join the Post 96 staff and announced later.
Sean McCann, Tim Dixon*, Steve Ranieri*, Chris Redden, Mike Mathews*, Aaron Jones, Rick Sanford, Adam Schuyler, Glen Barron, Shaun Farley, Ryan Farley*, Pat Cooney, Brian Heaney, Rob Hanawalt, Tom Borio, Scott Sharlow, PJ Louis, Chris Masucci
*Post 96 Player Alum
11. Post 96 does offer Winter Workouts in cooperation with WHABA.
These workouts take place two days per week starting in January, with an additional session for bullpens added in February. Signup information for the winter workouts will be sent out by WHABA in December. The locations for the winter workouts are WHABA Facility in Newington, FSA in Farmington, WHYBL Indoor Facility in Bloomfield, and Conard HS.
12. To select the teams, players interested in playing Post 96 Legion baseball are requested to contact Post 96 Assistant General Manager, Shaun Farley, and/or John Cotter, Post 96 General Manager. It is recommended that players attend winter workouts and confirm their spring team. Legion coaches attend spring games of interested players, and teams are selected based on player assessments during previous seasons, winter workouts, and spring high school/spring travel team seasons. Rosters are typically announced at the end of April.
13.. The roster sizes for the teams vary. The 19U team strives to have 16-17 players, while the 17U, 15U, and 13U teams strive to have 14-15 players per team. Post 96 intentionally keeps small roster sizes to maximize team members' contribution and playing time.
Playing time is managed based on each player's capabilities and the team's success. Post 96/American Legion baseball is not a pay-to-play team or league, and playing time is not equal. Team members typically play more than one position, and players may be double rostered across Post 96 teams (e.g., 17U/19U) to provide them with the opportunity to play for two teams during the summer.
14. During the legion baseball season, players have opportunities to gain exposure. Post 96 provides opportunities for college exposure, such as the American Legion Connecticut Showcase, where rising juniors and seniors can showcase their talents in front of college coaches.
Post 96 also supports players attending showcases outside of the legion schedule, such as PBR events, Area Code tryouts, Under Armour Assessments, USA Baseball Tryouts, college-specific camps, and the CT High School Showcase. Additionally, college and pro scouts typically attend the CT American Legion State Playoffs, including the state regional and finals.
CT American Legion State Playoffs – the state regional and finals are typically attended by college and pro scouts.
15. How much does it cost to play Post 96 Legion Baseball?
West Hartford American Legion Post 96 is the sponsor of Post 96 Baseball. Post 96 funds the
majority of the expenses involved with operating summer baseball teams. A $500 per player contribution is requested.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss West Hartford Post 96 Baseball, please contact:
Shaun Farley
General Manager Post 96 Baseball
[email protected]
860-319-9797