American Legion Baseball

The Rock Island Post #200 American Legion Baseball
program began in June of 1972.

Contrary to popular belief, there are active Rock Island Legion members. The Rock Island Post #200 American Legion meets on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at the Rock Island V.F.W. Post 1303 at 3715 9^th Street in Rock Island at 7:00 p.m.   Membership information is available by contacting Mike Reyes, Post Commander, at, ReyesM@osc.army.mil.

The Post 200 Members perform a variety of functions during the year to help assist the continued success of the baseball and other youth programs.  Of course, the program has been funded over the last 29 years through the tremendous generosity of former head coach, W. Gerard (Gerry) Huiskamp and the Mel McKay Trust Fund.   Gerry’s generosity continues today in that even though he is no longer an active field manager, he still provides uniforms, equipment, insurance, meals, lodging and transportation for all of the rostered Post #200 players.  It should be stressed that there is NO FEE assessed to any player who desires to compete for Post #200.  All reasonable and customary expenses are underwritten by Gerry. Without question, we are indebted to his kindness… his love of baseball and his love for the players.

Since 1972, over two hundred and thirty young men between the ages of 16 and 18 have played baseball for Post #200. 80% of the aforementioned athletes have attended college, and approximately half of those players have earned a college scholarship for baseball.

Competition is open to any player 16 to 18 years of age who resides in Rock Island or Southwest Rock Island and attends Rock Island High School.  Under American Legion Baseball Player Recruiting Rule 4[c], any player who attends Alleman High School, regardless of city of residence, is eligible to play, but is required to complete a National Declaration Form #77 declaring Rock Island Post #200 as his team of choice for the remainder of his American Legion eligibility.  Players who desire to play for Post #200 residing outside of Rock Island or Southwest Rock Island must obtain a proper and certified release from their respective American Legion baseball team manager to be eligible for consideration.

While a select group of 15 year old athletes have played for Post #200 in past years, it is certainly the exception rather than the rule to have a 15 year old player on the permanent roster for any given season.

All home games and practices are held at either Rock Island High School or at Black Hawk College.   The current schedule is available on the home page of this site along with directions to each field.

Post #200 enjoys a storied and rich tradition of success and excellence unmatched by any American Legion baseball team in this region of the state of Illinois.  Some significant team accomplishments include:

14^th District Champions:

’73, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’81,
’86, ’88, ’89,’90, ’91, ’92, ’95, ’96, ’97, ‘98, ’99, 00,

3^rd Divisional Champions:

’77, ’78, ’86, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’95, ’97, ’98, ’99, '00

1990, 1997, 1999

1997

3^rd Place

Of course, such strong teams are not without a share of truly exceptional and/or gifted players. Post #200 has nurtured 12 professional baseball players. They include:

1973 David Breiby Atlanta Braves "A"

1979-80-81 Mike Darby Seattle Mariners "A"

1979-80-81 Mike Muhlenberg Minnesota Twins "A"

1982-83-84 Jamie Allison Cleveland Indians "AA"

1983-84-85 Mark Borcherding Cincinnati Reds "A"

1986-87 Scott Hennessey Kansas City Royals "A"

1986-87 Ray Jackson San Francisco Giants "A"

1988-89-90 Chris Allison Boston Red Sox "AAA"

1988-89-90 Donnie White NY Mets/Houston Astros "AA"

1990 Tony Huntley Evansville (Indp.) "A"

1990-91 Brett Lagerblade Moose Jaw, Canada (Indp.) "A"

1991-92-93 Heath Bender Cleveland Indians "A"

32 Post #200 alumni (over 10%) have earned NCAA Division I Baseball Scholarships to premier programs such as: the University of Notre Dame,

California State University at Northridge, University of Minnesota, University of Kansas, University of Memphis, Bradley University, Southern Illinois University, University of Tennessee, University of New Orleans, University of Iowa, University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, University of Evansville, University of Northern Iowa, Western Illinois University, University of Mississippi, Southwestern Louisiana University, Indiana State University, Eastern Illinois University, Miami[OH] University, University of Wyoming, Chicago State University and Kansas State University.  A complete alphabetical listing of all Post #200 players is available including years played, college(s) attended and career/professional accomplishments.