With the Fourth of July upon us, it’s quickly becoming an exciting time in the sports world.
The American Legion baseball playoffs begin this weekend on the Freshmen and Junior levels, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game takes place next Tuesday in Missouri, the high school sports season is approaching fast and the University of Missouri officially is a member of the SEC.
Our American Legion baseball teams all are having great seasons.
The overall records these teams own are pretty impressive.
On the Freshmen level, Washington Post 218 and Pacific Post 320 finished first and second, respectively, in the regular season standings.
Post 218 is having an incredible season, currently sporting a 31-1 record and a 14-0 district mark.
This team has to be considered one of the favorites to win the state tournament, which begins July 18 in Branson.
Pacific hasn’t played near as many games, but still is 12-3 and poses the biggest threat to Washington in the Ninth District Tournament.
Both Washington and Pacific have deep pitching staffs, which can take you a long way.
The Post 218 Juniors (26-5, 19-3) have already secured a spot in the Zone Tournament by winning the Ninth District regular season crown.
The Zone Tournament will be hosted by the Ninth District Tournament champion.
The Zone winner advances to the state tournament in Blue Springs.
There are a number of quality Junior teams, other than Washington, in the Ninth District.
Daniel Boone, Elsberry, O’Fallon and West all are having good seasons, which should make for a competitive district tournament.
On the Senior level, Washington Post 218 and the West Jaguars are slugging it out for the regular season Ninth District crown.
Heading into this week, Post 218 is 18-6 overall and 11-1 in the district while West is 32-4 and 10-2.
Washington and West have split two games this season with both winners rallying from behind.
Both teams have deep, talented pitching staffs and very strong offenses.
Washington and West meet again Saturday night at Westhoff Park in O’Fallon, which could decide the regular season district title.
Post 218 already is assured a spot in the Zone Tournament as that event’s host. There’s a good chance West will join them. That will be a fun few days.
The big question on the Senior level is will Festus win its fourth straight state championship?
It’s certainly possible as Festus is having another tremendous season.
But there are other Senior teams in Missouri who also are having great seasons, such as Washington, West, Jefferson City, Independence, Blue Springs Fike and the Blue Springs A’s.
The next few weeks of Legion baseball will be exciting to watch.
The MLB All-star Game takes place next Tuesday in Kansas City.
It will be interesting to see Tony La Russa back in a Cardinals uniform managing the National League team.
Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn has struggled of late, but still was named to the team. Perhaps Kyle Lohse would have been a better pick.
When Chris Carpenter returns, will the Cards move Lynn to the bullpen? It’s possible. They need major help in the late innings and Lynn was great in that role during last year’s postseason.
We are one month away from the high school fall sports season. Practices begin Aug. 6.
Mizzou officially became a member of the SEC last Sunday.
How can you not be excited about the upcoming football and basketball seasons?
The first SEC football for Mizzou game takes place in Columbia Sept. 8 against Georgia. Alabama visits Faurot Field Oct. 13. Those will be two crazy days.
