Recognizing 100 years of American Legion Baseball and the American Legion World Series, and honoring the city of Shelby, North Carolina, for serving as the permanent home of the American Legion World Series.

Recognizing 100 years of American Legion Baseball and the American Legion World Series, and honoring the city of Shelby, North Carolina, for serving as the permanent home of the American Legion World Series.

Whereas the American Legion chartered its national junior baseball program in 1925, and the first American Legion Baseball World Series was played in 1926;

Whereas American Legion Baseball has grown into one of the most respected amateur athletic programs in the United States, having involved teams from all 50 States and Canada;

Whereas American Legion Baseball has developed generations of young Americans, ages 13 to 19, instilling in them the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, and respect for those who have served in the Armed Forces;

Whereas American Legion Baseball has produced 82 Baseball Hall of Famers, while also inspiring countless participants to pursue military service;

Whereas the American Legion World Series is the culminating national championship event of American Legion Baseball, bringing together the top teams from across the country each summer to compete for the national title;

Whereas, in 2011, the city of Shelby, North Carolina, became the permanent home of the American Legion World Series, hosting the tournament each year since at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium;

Whereas the city of Shelby and Cleveland County have invested significant resources to expand Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium to a modern facility with covered seating and a dedicated tournament headquarters;

Whereas the people of Shelby have embraced the American Legion World Series, welcoming players, families, and fans from across the country;

Whereas the American Legion World Series has grown in national visibility during its tenure in Shelby, with tournament attendance surpassing 100,000 fans in a single year, and with games broadcast nationally on ESPN platforms;

Whereas Shelby Post 82 has itself been part of American Legion Baseball history, including winning the American Legion World Series championship in 1945; and

Whereas the 2026 American Legion World Series, held August 13 through August 18, 2026, at Veterans Field in Shelby, marks the 100th anniversary of the first American Legion World Series, a milestone reflecting a century of service to American communities and to the young athletes who have worn the American Legion uniform: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes and commends 100 years of American Legion Baseball and the American Legion World Series;

(2) honors the city of Shelby, North Carolina, and Cleveland County for their steadfast commitment to hosting the American Legion World Series as its permanent home;

(3) expresses appreciation to the volunteers, coaches, and residents of Shelby who have supported the American Legion World Series and made it a source of community pride; and

(4) reaffirms the importance of American Legion Baseball in developing character, sportsmanship, and patriotism in young Americans, and in honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces.