From KALB Chairman Joe Durham:

100 years of American Legion Baseball is being celebrated this year and Kansas American Legion Baseball is proud to be part of the celebration. Our 2025 season kicked off with our Coaches and Managers meeting on February 16th. Due to inclement weather, this was the first all video conference meeting.  31 coaches and managers attended the meeting, as the following topics were discussed.

MINUTES from our 2025 Spring meeting.

The meeting was opened by Chairman Joe Durham and the following items were discussed.

1.  Review of the 2024 Fall meeting minutes
2.  Disciplinary review from the 2024 season.
3.  Review of the 2025 rule changes.
     4. Reclassification of our divisions within KALB
     Class AAA is now Class A, 19U large school
     Class AA is now Class B, 19U small school
     Class A is now Class C, 17U (all schools)
     NEW CLASS; Class D, 15U (all schools)

5. Umpire committee, starting this year Dean Carson will our KALB lead UIC for all KALB Umpires.  We are gathering information to add 4 regional umpires to assist the state UIC with rule interpretations, evaluation and state tournament selection 

6. REGISTRATION:
     1. SR 19U team costs are:     
          $25 registration fee
          $275 state fee, this amount is returned to KALB
          $100 national fee
          $400 TOTAL COST

     2.  17U & 15U (JR) costs are:
          $25 registration fee
          $250 state fee, this amount is returned to KALB
          $75 national fee
          $350 TOTAL COST

     3.  Teams must have K&K Insurance to participate.  Rates are:
               Junior Liability    $102.00                 Senior Liability     $149.00
               JR Med Seasonal    $109.00            SR Med seasonal $129.00
               JR Med Annual       $159.00              SR Med Annual     $200.00

WE HAVE ASKED IF WE CAN COMBINE OUR JRs AND SRs INTO ONE POLICY TO SAVE MONEY. WE ARE WAITING ON ANSWERS.

7.  Coaches we ask that each team create a 3-ring binder or folder that has the following information in it:  Check out the tab at our website titled “COACHES”
     1. we ask that this be carried with you at all times.
     2. Form 2's
     3. A copy of the players picture ID (driver's license)
     4. Team Picture
     5. Team Roster printed from the National Site
     6. Copy of K&K Insurance policy
     7. The Department of KALB ID form

8.  15U league, this is in its developmental stage. All our 15U teams will follow the following pitch smart count for all 13- & 14-year-old players. The maximum number of pitches for a 13- & 14-year-old is 85 pitches.  For 15-year-old players the max number of pitches is 105.

9. Rulebooks, during regular season for all classifications we will use NFHS rules.  For zone and state tournaments Class B, C & D will continue to follow NFHS rules and Class A will follow the National American Legion Rulebook.

10. yes to the rule changes:
     Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers
     DH rule for any player
     Electronic communication between catcher and coach
     Re-entry rule
     Players are restricted to playing only two games per day

11. KALB is creating a data base to communicate with mgrs. and coaches.  We will continue to utilize FB etc. to post events, pictures, etc. from the season.  We encourage you to post to our FB site also concerning your season.

12. We are going to be using a new ID form that was approved by National.

13. Important Dates:
     Jan 1st online registration begins
     June 1st Online registration closes. all fees have to be paid.
     June 1st all fees have to be paid
     June 1st K&K insurance has to be purchased
     June 15-26 open window to submit your final roster and
          finish your registration process.
     July 10-13, 15U & 17 U Zone Tournament window opens
     July 17-20, 17U State Tournament in Topeka
     July 18-21, 15U State Tournament in Wellington
     July 16-20, 19U Zone Tournament window opens
     July 25-28, 19U State Tournaments
               Class A in Topeka    &     Class B in Hiawatha

JANUARY
(1st) Online team registration for the 2025 season begins
(1st) Umpire Nominations for national tournaments due to National Headquarters
(2nd -5th) American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) convention, Washington, D.C.

FEBRUARY
2025 American Legion Baseball Rule Books available online
(15th) DEADLINE for submitting ALB Booster Decal orders to National Emblem Sales

MARCH
(31st) Establishment of player’s legal domicile (parents’ domicile) and high school enrollment for grades 10, 11 & 12.

APRIL
Distribute American Legion Baseball Scholarship applications to posts, coaches, and players.
(1 st) DEADLINE for orders of 2025 Official MLB Rules for June delivery
(15th) DEADLINE for Department Rule Books to National office (email)
(15th) Report site and date of Sr. and Jr. Department State Tournaments
(15th) Plan “A” rezoning or new zoning filed and approved by department baseball committee

JUNE
(1st) FINAL DAY to register team applications, purchase insurance and pay registration fees for 2025 season
(2nd) LOU GEHRIG DAY – Suggested speech available at www.legion.org/publications
(17th) Roster Deadline.  All teams must complete and submit their roster on baseball.legion.org.  The following must be submitted to Department Headquarters, 1314 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka KS  66612:

• American Legion Department of Kansas Baseball ID Card  Certification Form.
• Team picture with players identified.
• The following forms as necessary: Player Transfers (Form 76), Team Declarations (Form 77), and Dual Participation Requests

(24th) Zone assignments published on-line at www.kansaslegion.org/baseball
(25th) DEADLINE for Team Mangers to submit online Form #1 with Department Chairman to be eligible for state and national tournaments.
(30th) DEADLINE for Department Baseball Chairman to approve online Form #1 with National office to be eligible for national tournaments

JULY
(15th) DEADLINE for baseball scholarship application submission to department headquarters. Applications are due to Department Headquarters (Topeka) by July 15th.  We encourage all teams to select a graduated SR player for this scholarship opportunity.
(17th) ALB Centennial Season Celebration
(31st) DEADLINE for department chairman certify Department Champions to National office and regional tournament directors if you wish to utilize national transportation arrangements to regionals.

AUGUST
(8th) DEADLINE for state to send their selection to the National Department scholarship committee.