CDA American Legion Baseball 2015 Program Teams American Legion Baseball enjoys a reputation as one of the most successful and tradition-rich amateur athletic leagues. Today, the program registers over 5,400 teams in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Almost 100,000 youths, ages 13 to 19, participate annually. Since its inception, the league has had 10 million players, and nearly 60 percent of current college players are program graduates. Here are some former Legion baseball players that you may recognize. George Sparky Anderson, Johnny Bench, George Brett, David Eckstein, Carlton Fisk, Bob Griese, Tony Gwynn, Albert Pujols, Harold Reynolds, Mo Vaughn, Justin Verlander, Brian Wilson, Carl Yastrzemski, and Steve Young to name a few. Coeur d Alene American Legion Baseball has taught thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health, and active citizenship, while playing baseball at the highest level. The program is also a promoter of equality, making teammates out of young athletes regardless of their income levels or social standings. American Legion Baseball has been, and continues to be a steppingstone to adulthood. The season begins in April with the CDA American Legion Lumbermen 14U team as they compete in various spring tournaments in the area and ends in August with the CDA American Legion Lumbermen AA. CDA American Legion baseball is comprised of four teams, all of which play in highly competitive leagues and tournaments throughout the country. These four teams are: CDA American Legion Lumbermen AA-This team is comprised of high school and college age players. The Legion AA team competes in the Idaho Legion AA league as well as participates in elite tournaments throughout the region. This team plays approximately 50 games. CDA American Legion Lumbermen A-This team is comprised of high school age players from Coeur d Alene High School and Lake City High School. The Legion A team competes in the Idaho Legion A league as well as participates in high level tournaments throughout the region. This team plays approximately 40 games.
CDA American Legion Lumbermen 16U-This team is comprised of high school and junior high school age players. The 16U team competes in the Spokane Legion A League as well as participates in tournaments in the area. This team will play approximately 32 games. CDA American Legion Lumbermen 14U-This team is comprised of high school and junior high school age players. This 14U team participates in tournaments in the local area. This team will play approximately 30 games. Expectations Player-To play baseball in a competitive environment; develop leadership skills, sportsmanship skills, and encourage community participation. Family-To be a part of a growing network of baseball and community supporters and volunteers. Team-The team not only exists within the foul lines but in the bleachers, schools, and communities as well. Many years of friendships, mentoring, and leadership has come from decades of Legion baseball. Fun-In the end this is a game, so have fun. Coaching Staff The Legion coaching staff is comprised of the some of the best coaching talent in the area. Many of these coaches played college baseball and some went on to professional baseball. All are community leaders with jobs today ranging from current coaches, teachers, business professionals, and government employees. Current Staff: CDA American Legion Lumbermen AA Manager-Zach Clanton. Zach was born in Woodland Hills California and moved to CDA at an early age. Zach graduated from Lake City High School where he participated in football and baseball. As a pitcher he helped Lake City win a state title in baseball and then went on to play four years under Coach Ed Cheff at Lewis-Clark State in Lewiston. Zach has been coaching in the Legion program since 2011. Assistant-CJ Ketron. CJ Ketron was born and raised in Coeur d Alene. After playing for Lake City High School and the American Legion program from 2005-2008, CJ continued his pitching career at Yakima Valley Community College in Washington State. He returned for one last summer of legion in 2009 and after a successful second year at Yakima was given an opportunity to continue his baseball career. CJ received a scholarship from Dickinson State University in North Dakota where he finished his eligibility while completing his Bachelor s Degree. He spent one summer coaching in Dickinson during his playing career and joined the Double A staff last summer.
CDA American Legion Lumbermen A Manager-Cody Spencer. Cody was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Coeur d'alene, Idaho. He played baseball at Coeur d'alene High School for four years before graduating in 2007. Cody played collegiately at the College of Idaho (NAIA) in Caldwell, Idaho, earning a Bachelor's Degree in 2012. He has played every position on the field which drives his passion for defense. Cody coached in the Coeur d'alene American Legion program from 2008-2011 and was the head coach for the Prairie American Legion Single A team in 2012 before returning back to the CDA Legion program in 2013. Life Quote: "Before someone can be a leader, they must first learn how to be a servant" "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13 Assistant-Jesse Marks. Jesse played high school ball at Lakeland High School until he graduated in 2013 and played legion for three years in the Prairie Legion program. Baseball has equipped Jesse with numerous life skills and has given him tools he can use in any situation life tosses his way. This game has given him lifelong relationships that he will never forget. In 2014 Jesse started his coaching career as the assistant coach on C- team for Lakeland. Then in the summer he was the assistant coach for the 15U Prairie Legion team. Jesse is very excited about this wonderful opportunity to be a part of a very good program. He is also very excited about the opportunity to be able to share the great experience baseball has given him with all of the young talent of this program. CDA American Legion Lumbermen 16U Manager-Kevin Dunton. Kevin attended Menlo-Atherton High School (California). Kevin played on the Palo Alto American Legion baseball team, two time California State Champions and played in 1980 American Legion World Series in Ely, Minnesota. Kevin attended Santa Clara University on baseball/football scholarship where he graduated in 1985. Kevin played 3 summers for Cook Inlet Bucs in the Alaska Baseball League and played in the Montreal Expos organization in California League and Florida State League. Kevin has been an active coach in the area since 1999 and in the Legion program for the past three seasons. Kevin lives in Coeur d Alene with his wife Brooke. They have two sons currently enrolled at Boise State University. Assistant-Roger Keilig. Roger was born and raised in Redwood City, California and attended San Carlos High School. Roger went on to play baseball at Cañada College in Redwood City, California. Roger was drafted three times throughout his career by the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Dodgers respectively. He ended up playing three years in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Roger has been coaching in the Legion program since 2006. Roger lives in Coeur d Alene with his wife Pat and their daughter Katie. CDA American Legion Lumbermen 14U Manager during High School Season-Cody Spencer. Cody was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Coeur d'alene, Idaho. He played baseball at Coeur d'alene High School for four years before graduating in 2007. Cody played
collegiately at the College of Idaho (NAIA) in Caldwell, Idaho, earning a Bachelor's Degree in 2012. He has played every position on the field which drives his passion for defense. Cody coached in the Coeur d'alene American Legion program from 2008-2011 and was the head coach for the Prairie American Legion Single A team in 2012 before returning back to the CDA Legion program in 2013. Life Quote: "Before someone can be a leader, they must first learn how to be a servant" "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13 Assistant-Colby Kennedy. Colby has been a Coeur d Alene resident for 8 years. Originally from Snohomish, Washington, Colby moved over to Coeur d Alene in his 6th grade year. He quickly jumped into the Coeur d Alene little league and later attended Coeur d Alene High School where he played baseball for four years. During those four years Colby also played summer baseball through the American Legion Baseball program. Colby is currently attending North Idaho College and expects to transfer to Boise State University in the fall where he will be working towards obtaining his bachelor s degree in Construction Management. After Colby completes school he plans on working in the electricity industry as a line foreman. Colby has grown up around baseball and has been playing the sport since he was old enough to do so. This experience has given me a tremendous love for the game and also a wide variety of knowledge and tactics of how to play as a team in order to obtain a goal. I believe in every individual giving their best effort to play as a team on and off the field and I am excited to see your kids grow in the American Legion program as well as the game. Manager Post High School Season-Kaleb DeHaas. "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard". Kaleb was born in Coeur d Alene and went to Coeur d Alene High School. Kaleb played baseball at CHS and also 3 years in the CDA American Legion Baseball Program. Kaleb is currently in his 4 th year playing baseball for Northwest Nazarene University and majoring in secondary education, history/spanish. Kaleb s Philosophy: The game is simple when it is played the right way with focus, hustle, and heart. The thing that draws me to coaching is not only the opportunity it brings to develop young baseball players but also the opportunity to help them grow as men. As a secondary education major and future teacher I have devoted my life and quite a bit of time to help young people realize their dreams and give them all the opportunities to go out and accomplish them! To set goals, achieve them, and set more. Psalm 37:5 commit your ways to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act Our Program We are a year around baseball program that provides coaching, fitness, and baseball workouts throughout the year. We field a fall baseball team that competes in the Spokane Fall baseball League from September through October for those players that currently don t participate in fall high school sports. We also currently conduct weekly workouts or open gym every Sunday evening at the Lake City High School hitting facility. These workouts begin in November and will continue weekly until the high school baseball season begins.
Travel, Uniforms, and Program Cost The CDA Legion s operating budget is around $120,000 annually. The majority of funds are contributed via fundraising efforts from both the player and the parent. It is the Legion s goal that not one player not play baseball because of cost. The Legion encourages and assists the player to fundraise with local business to offset the player cost. The donation from the business to support the player is tax deductible. The Legion board and coaching staff are available to assist any player that needs help raising funds. The Legion Program offers jerseys, hats, helmets, and practice equipment during the season. 2015 Player Cost/Fees: AA-$1,800 A-$1,800 16U-$1,250 14U-$1,250 Once players have been selected an informational team meeting will be held to answer any questions that may arise regarding the team and the program. This meeting is usually held in February with a follow up meeting in May. A $400 non-refundable deposit is required at the February meeting. The remaining balance will be split in half, with half due March 15 and April 15 for the 14U team. The remaining balance will be half due April 15 and half due May 15 for the 16U, A, and AA teams. This year we will be able to accept credit cards for payment. To clarify, if a player is selected on the 14U team a $400 deposit would be required at the February meeting, the remaining $850 would be split with $425 due March 15th and $425 due on April 15th. If a player is selected on the 16U team a $400 deposit would be required at the February meeting, the remaining $850 would be split with $425 due April 15th and $425 due on May 15th. If a player is selected to the A or AA team a $400 deposit would be required, the remaining $1,400 would be split, $700 due on April 15th and $700 due on May 15th.