Legion Player of the Year from Wisconsin

Tyler Jacobson from Oneida, Wis., was recently honored as the George W. Rulon American Legion Baseball Player of the Year. Jacobson, who played Legion ball for Mixtacki-Johnson Post 337 of Pulaski, Wis., received the award from National Commander Clarence Hill during the Wisconsin American Legion Department Conference on Jan. 29, 2010.

As a George W. Rulon Player of the Year recipient, Jacobson will receive a $3,500 scholarship from the Legion and will attend the 2010 Baseball Hall of Fame game in Cooperstown, N.Y., on June 20. In high school, the current freshman infielder for the University of Wisconsin in Platteville earned two "player of the year" honors, as he was also selected as the 2009 Gatorade Great Lakes Region Player of the Year.

"I am very humbled and honored to represent the state of Wisconsin and American Legion Baseball as the 2009 George W. Rulon Player of the Year," Jacobson said. "I would like to thank the American Legion for sponsoring such a tremendous summer baseball organization for high school players. My life pretty much revolves around baseball, and I can honestly say that I don't know what I would do during the summer if I couldn't play the sport that I love."

The George W. Rulon Player of the Year is presented annually to eligible Legion baseball players. It pays tribute to George W. Rulon, the national staff coordinator who operated American Legion Baseball for 25 years. Legion team managers or coaches can recognize a player by filling out an application and submitting it to their department (state) baseball headquarters, which reviews all nominees and identifies a top candidate. During the Legion Baseball World Series, a committee reviews each state's top candidate for award consideration.