Sports

Vienna Post 180 Eyes District Title With 'Kids Who Really Love to Play Ball'

American Legion team hopes to return as district champions, but at the end of the day, "we play for each other," coach says.

Frank Werman has been coaching the Vienna Post 180 Legion baseball team for more than a decade, even though many of his players will not go on to play baseball at the next level.

So what keeps Werman coming back year after year?

"The dynamics are different in Legion baseball because it's for kids who really love to play ball," Werman said.

Legion baseball was created by the American Legion in 1925 and has been supported by the organization ever since. Legion baseball is for athletes who are 19 years of age or younger, and is one of the most prominent collections of independent baseball leagues in America.

Vienna Post 180 draws from students in the James Madison, Oakton and South Lakes High School areas, and competes against divisional opponents in Alexandria, Annandale, Falls Church, Centerville, Arlington and West Springfield.

This season, Vienna Post 180 is 12-4, just a half-game behind first place in District 17 behind West Springfield (12-3 this season), who Werman's team beat twice on Sunday. Vienna has eight games remaining this summer before postseason play; should Werman and his squad repeat as district champions, they would then go on to the state playoffs, followed by regionals, all culminating with the American Legion World Series.

Though Werman's players range from rising high school seniors to recent graduates and college students, he says this year's group of players has learned quickly how to play together, creating high aspirations for where this season could lead.

"They play for (Post) 180 and they play for each other," Werman said. "If these guys can execute then we can definitely compete. Going forward we’re going to have a good shot.”

Often times, Werman must fill out his roster with players who are not suited for travel baseball in the area or kids who do not compete in college but want to continue playing over the summer months. His teams can sometimes resemble a collection of misfits, but Werman says Legion baseball gives kids with different backgrounds and skill sets a chance to mesh. 

It also gives Werman a chance as the manager to teach the kids to play the game "the right way" : Because travel baseball is primarily a showcase of individual abilities as scouts monitor players' potential to advance to the next level, Legion baseball is an opportunity to teach kids how to play the game situationally and as a team. His biggest challenge can be getting the college kids to work with the high school kids, he said, and getting all of his players to play unselfish baseball. But once it all clicks, Werman said  the true value of the league and his team shines through.

"You get a lot of these passionate baseball kids who love to play the game," Werman said. "And we get the 19 year olds home from college playing for the last time- that’s why we have to play together as a team. We play for each other, for the 19s, so we have to go after it for a shot at a world series."

Legion baseball is also an opportunity for the kids to enjoy playing the game with little pressure, according to Werman. In high school baseball teams will only play two 7-inning games per week, allowing little opportunity for non-starters to see the field, and little margin for error for the players competing. In Legion ball teams will play four 9-inning games per week, which allows more players an opportunity on the field and a greater margin for error.

"It’s a different feel because you’re playing a lot more innings and a lot more games," Werman said. "Everyone gets a real chance to play, and we have an opportunity for more substitutions. Kids get more options, we always need more pitching with as many innings as we play.”

Werman acts as more than just a coach to his players; he is a mentor and a leader even away from the field.  If a player is coming off an exceptionally dominant season or had a strong summer the year before, Werman may contact other coaches about that player being picked up in the Cal Ripken league or another travel league. This way, if a player has the ability to play in college, Werman does not shield him from recruiting by having him play in Legion ball.

The manager keeps stats for every player after every game and analyzes it week to week.

"My stats are out there. As you move up, it’s out there for the world," Werman said. "A lot of kids really struggle with the stats, but that’s the game. That’s why I do it, because they learn to play with the numbers attached. That’s the game of life."

But for those struggling players, Werman ensures they know there is still a bright future ahead of them.

"What I push for my guys is you want to go to a school that you want to be at, that’s your favorite," Werman said. "You don’t want to go to college just to play baseball.” 

For Vienna Post 180's schedule, click here.


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