2022 American Legion Baseball awards announced
The 2022 American Legion Baseball awards were announced Tuesday night after the championship game of the 95th American Legion World Series.
The American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award is awarded annually to the player who compiles the highest number of total bases in regional and ALWS competition.
The 2022 American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award was shared by Travis Bragg of League City (Texas) Post 554 and Eliot Jones of Idaho Falls (Idaho) Post 56, who each had 23 total bases.
Since 1945, the American Legion Baseball program has presented an American Legion Baseball Slugger trophy annually to the player compiling the highest batting average during national competition; a minimum of 12 plate appearances is required in both regional and ALWS competition.
The 2022 American Legion Baseball Slugger Award goes to Bragg, who compiled a .480 baating average in national competition.
American Legion Baseball lost a dynamic leader during the 1970 season. In his memory, the National Americanism Commission established the Dr. Irvin L. (Click) Cowger RBI Memorial Award. The recipient of this annual award is the American Legion Baseball player who is credited with the most runs batted in by the official scorers at the respective regionals and ALWS.
The 2022 Click Cowger RBI award was shared in a three-way tie by Albert Garza of League City, Kyeler Thompson of League City, and Nick Valentine of Chesapeake (Va.) Post 280. Each had 12 RBIs in national competition.
American Legion Baseball’s first graduate to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., was Bob Feller. The award named after him is presented annually to the pitcher who has the most strikeouts in regional and ALWS competition.
The 2022 Bob Feller Pitching Award goes to Merit Jones of Idaho Falls, who compiled 23 strikeouts in national competition.
The James Daniels Sportsmanship Award is presented annually in memory of a long-time dedicated supporter of the American Legion Baseball program from South Carolina. This award is presented to an ALWS player who best represents teamwork, loyalty, cooperation, self-reliance, fair play and courage.
The 2022 James Daniels Sportsmanship Award goes to Deezil Luce of Idaho Falls (Idaho).
The George W. Rulon American Legion Player of the Year Award is presented annually in memory of a long-time dedicated director of the American Legion Baseball program for 25 years. The award is based on integrity, mental attitude, cooperation, citizenship, sportsmanship, scholastic aptitude and general good conduct. The recipient will attend the National Baseball Hall of Fame Classic game next year in Cooperstown, N.Y.
The 2022 George W. Rulon American Legion Player of the Year Award goes to Brooks Bryan of Troy (Ala.) Post 70.
Based on players’ performance and character on and off the field, the following players have been selected to the American Legion World Series All-Tournament Team:
Designated Hitter: Brooks Bryan, Troy (Ala.) Post 70
Utility Player: Elliot Peterson, Omaha (Neb.) Post 1
Catcher: R.J. Woods, Idaho Falls (Idaho) Post 56
First Base: Jack Bakus, Midland (Mich.) Post 165
Second Base: Tanner Taylor, Troy (Ala.) Post 70
Third Base: Jamari Harris, Camden (S.C.) Post 17
Shortstop: Zack Parker, Midland (Mich.) Post 165
Outfield: Cooper Newell, Chesapeake (Va.) Post 280
Outfield: Brandon Gibbs, Camden (S.C.) Post 17
Outfield: Eliot Jones, Idaho Falls (Idaho) Post 56
Pitcher: Douglas Johnson, Troy (Ala.) Post 70
Pitcher: Dax Whitney, Idaho Falls (Idaho) Post 56
Pitcher: David Siciliano, Shrewsbury (Mass.) Post 397
