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Troy (Ala.) Post 70 joined former major leaguers, other youth champs in Play Ball event before Game 2 of the World Series.

Gunner Justice and his teammates from Troy (Ala.) Post 70’s American Legion Baseball team weren’t sure what to expect when they arrived for a Play Ball event in Inglewood, Calif., on Oct. 26.

“I’ve seen stuff online about it, but I didn’t think it would be this fun,” Justice said during the event at Dodgers Dreamfield at Edward Vincent Jr. Park.

Players and coaches from the 2024 American Legion World Series champions joined other youth champions, and former major leaguers and Olympic softball gold medalists, in volunteering to work with kids from around Los Angeles the morning before Game 2 of the World Series between the Dodgers and the New York Yankees.

“It’s important because little kids need someone to look up to, learn new things about the game, and it’s a good time,” said Post 70 player Cody Walsh.

While it was a new experience for the players, Post 70’s coaches had participated in a Play Ball event before after winning the 2022 ALWS and visiting Houston for the World Series.

At first, Hixon said, “(our kids aren’t) real sure about what they’re supposed to do, they don’t understand these kids look up to anybody that plays the game that’s older than them. So when they get out here, they start warming up to it, and it’s a real enjoyable event not only for the kids that do it but our kids as well that help. …

“They don’t realize it, but they’re giving back to the game that they play too. They were that age at one point. So it’s just fun for them to get out, be around celebrities that they look up to but then have the kids look up to them too.”

Along with former major leaguers including Jason Kendall, Dellin Betances, Adam Jones and Dennis Powell, Olympic gold medal softball players Jennie Finch and Natasha Watley, and youth champions from MLB-sponsored programs, the players and coaches from Post 70 guided kids through baserunning, throwing, hitting, and simulated game stations.

Hixon agreed that the Play Ball event exemplifies the goals of American Legion Baseball with its emphasis on teamwork and commitment.

“Playing together is one thing; I don’t know if any of these kids know each other at all, but they’ll get out here and play and, you know, catch a ground ball and throw to first, just the teamwork side of it. Not only playing the game but helping out,” Hixon said. “They can’t do the event without volunteers, so teamwork’s probably the biggest thing. And then commitment just to come out here and be up early, have fun while you’re doing it.”

Post 70 were also guests of Major League Baseball at Saturday’s World Series Game 2, a 4-2 Dodgers win.

“Obviously when we finally find out where we’re going, a lot of them were really excited to go to L.A. Who knows if they’ll ever get this opportunity to go out here again?” Hixon said. “I’ve never been myself. Get to watch two historic franchises in the Yankees and Dodgers play. I don’t know of a better baseball setting that you can really go to if you’re not biased to a certain team.

“They’re really excited, and that’s something that two years ago, I tell everybody, when we won it in Shelby, everything fast forwarded so quick, to go back to school and whatnot. This trip allows them to get back together; they’ve been at college two months, 2 ½ months now, and it’s just a reunion for them to get back together, relive the summer, the glory days of winning it and just the memories you share, and then you get to create more at the World Series. It’s one of the best things you can dream of as a baseball player to get to do that.”