SIKESTON -- The American Legion took third place in the National League this year, then went on to place second in the year-end tournament.
They were also the only team to beat the powerhouse Lions team.
"It was a total team effort and I was proud of all of them," said Legion coach Todd Baker. "The kids improved from day to day."
Members of the team were Seth Baker, Robert E. Lee, Jarod Brooks, Brandon Williams, Rhyne McCoy, Tyler Beeson, Tyler Ramey, De Bizzell, Zach Friend, Mark Freed and Jonathan Sauceda.
Baker and Ramey were both first team all-stars.
"Every kid participated, and they all did well," said Baker. "My 12-year-olds did good and my 11-year-olds picked it up."
The Legion lost to the Lions in the championship game of the year-end tournament.
"Last year we didn't win any games at all," said Baker. "Several kids on the team improved this year. We took third in the league and second in the tournament. And we could have taken second in the league with one more win."
Members of the 2002 American Legion team in the National League of Sikeston Area Youth Baseball are Seth Baker, Robert Ethan Lee, Jarod Brooks, Brandon Lee Williams, Rhyne McCoy, Tyler Beeson, Tyler Ramey, De Bizzell, Zach Friend, Mark Freed and Jonathan Sauceda. The team was coached by Todd Baker, Justin Ramey and David Bizzell.