Delaware ALWS team ‘representing the 302’

After pitching Wilmington (Del.) Post 1 to victory in Game 1 of the American Legion World Series on Aug. 16, Chris Ludman said his college coach, Jim Sherman, had been sending congratulatory text messages since the team qualified for the Series.

But Ludman, a freshman last season for Sherman at the University of Delaware, joked he’s got some good-natured ribbing to give Sherman when he gets back to campus.

“I’m going to give him a hard time when I get back, though, because we won a game and their team didn’t. I already got something on him I can joke with him about,” Ludman said.

Ludman is part of the first Legion Baseball team from Delaware to reach the ALWS since 1976, which Sherman played for. That 1976 team went winless at the ALWS in Manchester, N.H.; this year’s participants in Shelby, N.C., stood at 1-1 heading into Sunday’s final games of pool play.

Ludman is one of three University of Delaware Blue Hens on Post 1’s roster, along with Jack Dubecq and Justin Tomovich.

Sherman, the head coach at the University of Delaware since 2001, credits his experience playing in the ALWS for laying the foundation for his career. He played collegiately at Delaware and professionally with the Houston Astros, and served as the Blue Hens’ associate head coach from 1995-2000 before replacing Hall of Fame coach Bob Hannah.

Seeing Post 1 representing the state “is huge,” Sherman said.

“(It) is great public relations for the state and American Legion Baseball. I love our local guys from our state playing and their experience will be for a lifetime and something they will always cherish,” he said.

The Blue Hens have 13 players coming in this fall who played Legion Baseball this summer, Sherman said.

“American Legion Baseball is vital in our recruiting and especially in our home state of Delaware,” he said. “All these players come in with respect dedication and honor all due through their experience with American Legion Baseball.”

Post 1 coach Brent Treml said the “tight-knit baseball community” in Delaware means “the whole state is definitely behind us.”

“It makes the kids know and feel that even though we’re far from home, we’re not forgotten. … They’re aware of the history, this doesn’t happen very often, this is a special team and they’re embracing it. So it’s pretty cool to see,” Treml said.

For Ludman, the experience is a chance to “represent the 302,” he said, referencing Delaware’s area code.

“I like trying to put Delaware on the map,” he said.