American Legion Baseball hits record number of participating teams after canceling 2020 season

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A Minnesota baseball league is bouncing back in record numbers after taking a pause in 2020 because of the pandemic. American Legion Baseball returned to play this weekend.

It is a fun summer pastime that draws in thousands of young baseball players each summer, and it is also quite competitive.

Head Coach Nik Anderson was on the phone recruiting players for his team, and helping them not only with baseball but life lessons.

"The life lessons that come with investing to the best of your ability and then being OK with the outcome based on what you put in, that’s something we really enjoy," Anderson said.

In 2020, COVID-19 canceled summer ball, which some people thought may have negatively impacted this season. It hasn’t at all.

"Is this the most teams ever in Minnesota? Yes, this is another record-setting season here. We’ve set a new record," said Gail Kalata, Forth District American Legion Baseball director.

More than 370 teams are registered across the state this season. That’s up from the last high of 366 teams in 2019.

"For several years now, six or seven years, we’ve had more teams," Kalata said.

Nineteen-year-old Ike Mezzenga played baseball through high school and is now in college doing the same. But couldn’t pass up one more year playing Legion ball, saying it’s more than just a game.

"Honestly, it’s just about hanging out with the guys. I am a freshman, going to be a sophomore, in college next year, so there’s just some younger guys that hopefully I can help them learn some stuff about how baseball impacts my life and just how fun it is to play with your guys," Mezzenga said.

Anderson played too, and hasn’t left. He is one of many who continues to give back to this nearly 100-year-old program.

"We’re fortunate to have a program where people want to come back and coach or donate money or time or whatever it may be, or just come watch games," Anderson said. "That means a lot."