2018 American Legion Baseball All-Academic Team announced

During the 2018 American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C., the annual All-Academic Team was announced. The team is sponsored by Diamond Sports, a leading manufacturer in baseball merchandise and the official baseball used during American Legion national tournaments.

James Davis, vice chairman on the Committee on Youth Education, made the announcement Aug. 17 prior to Game 6 of the Series.

In order for a player to be eligible, he or she must be nominated by his or her post-affiliated team manager or head coach to the department baseball committee. Each department's baseball committee has reviewed submitted applications and selected an overall state winner to receive a $500 scholarship.

The state winners have been reviewed by the World Series Scholarship Committee comprised of Legionnaires and academic representatives.

Each player on the team receives a $2,500 scholarship. An overall top academic player is named the team captain and awarded a $5,000 scholarship.

The team captain is:

Braiden Ruffin, North Platte, Neb., Post 163

The regional winners are:

Region 1: Eric Langley of Sweeny, N.H., Post 2

Region 2: Matthew Kohan of Newark, Del., Post 10

Region 3: David Borges Jr., of Denver Post 455

Region 4: Grayson Stevens of Russellville, Ark., Post 20

Region 5: Luc Bressett of Barrington, Ill., Post 158

Region 6: Stoene Spilde of Stephen/Argyle, Minn., Post 353

Region 7: Blake Moore of Laramie, Wyo., Post 14

Region 8: David Kelch of Tucson, Ariz., Post 7