BASEBALL INSPIRE
T
he American Legion baseball program was formed right here in South Dakota in 1925. It was the first program in the world to provide teenagers the opportunity to compete at a national level. The goal was to teach baseball, but also develop American youth into upstanding citizens. Today, American Legion baseball teams can be found in almost every town in the country. There are 87 teams in South Dakota, including several in the Black Hills. Over half of current Major League Baseball players grew up playing on Legion teams, not to mention the countless number of players who have gone on to college or the minors. Rapid City’s Post 22 has been one of the most successful teams in the sport. Since their first season, they’ve won 43 state championships, eight regional championships, and were national champions in 1993. Between 1970-1987 they won the state championship a staggering 18 years in a row — a tough record to beat no matter the sport. Dozens of Post 22 players
have gone on to successful collegiate careers, and 23 players have been drafted by Major League Baseball teams. General Manager Wayne Sullivan played for Post 22 growing up. He says what truly makes the team special is what happens after players leave the organization. “Every player that graduates from this program goes on to be incredible men and community leaders. And not just here in the hills, but around the country, and even the world.” Head coach Kelvin Torve agrees the program has a big impact on the players. “Just because we’re a small town out in the middle of nowhere, doesn’t mean that you have to set your sights low,” he says. “Our players can dream about making it to the big cities and playing under the bright lights, and know that playing for Post 22 can make that a reality.” The boys he coaches have reason to believe him, too: Kelvin played professional baseball for 13 years, including time with the New York Mets and the Minnesota Twins.
1926: Post 22’s inaugural season. They’re known simply as the American Legion team.
1953: the Basin League is formed
by four South Dakota teams and one from Nebraska.
1956: Black Hills Sports, Inc., is
formed and construction of the Sioux Park Stadium starts.
1957: Rapid City Chiefs are admitted to the Basin League. Sioux Park Stadium is complete, Post 22 and other local teams host games there.
1970-1987: Post 22 Hardhats win 18 straight state championships.
1972: Rapid City is devastated by a flash flood. Businessman Floyd Fitzgerald oversees the repairs to Sioux Park Stadium.
1973: the Basin League is dissolved. 1979: the Sioux Park Stadium
is renamed for Floyd Fitzgerald.
1993: Post 22 Hardhats win the American Legion World Series.
1998: Post 320 officially becomes
an American Legion team, making Rapid City the only community in the country with two teams drawing players from the same geographic area.
2020: Post 22 Hardhats play their last game at the original Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium, defeating the Miles City Outlaws 12-6.
2021: the Post 22 Hardhats played
their season opener at the newly renovated Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium, defeating the 406 Flyers 5-1.
POST 22 BHPARENT 27