News Summary
The Chapin-Newberry American Legion Baseball team will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their 2015 World Series championship on Friday. The event coincides with a game featuring the current 2025 team against the Joanna Hornets. The 2015 team made history with their impressive 32-1 record and is remembered for their remarkable comebacks throughout the tournament. This celebration not only honors their past triumphs but also reinforces the strong bonds formed among players and the community.
Chapin, South Carolina – The Chapin-Newberry American Legion Baseball team is set to hold a 10th anniversary celebration for their 2015 American Legion World Series championship team on Friday at 7 PM. This special event will coincide with a game featuring the current 2025 team as they take on the Joanna Hornets at Newberry College.
The 2015 championship team achieved a remarkable record of 32-1, triumphing in both the state championship and the Southeastern region championship, and ultimately claiming victory at the World Series. In the final match, the team faced New Orleans, Louisiana, and secured a decisive 9-2 win at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, North Carolina.
Notably, the 2015 Chapin-Newberry team is joined by the Spartanburg team of 1936 as the only South Carolina teams to have ever won the American Legion World Series. The celebration is not merely a call to honor the past success but also a moment for players and the community to reminisce about this historic accomplishment.
Ryan Stoudemire, a pivotal player on the 2015 team, now serves as the head coach for Chapin-Newberry. He expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming game and reunion. Stoudemire spoke fondly of the bonds formed among teammates, highlighting the importance of friendship and enjoyment over individual accolades throughout their championship journey.
The 2015 squad entered the World Series with an impressive undefeated record of 28-0 but were perceived as underdogs due to their competition featuring traditional powerhouses in amateur league baseball. Their tournament journey began with a nail-biting 2-1 victory against Midland, Michigan, before they faced a setback with a 5-2 loss to New Orleans.
However, demonstrating remarkable resilience, the Chapin-Newberry team made a spectacular comeback from a 6-0 deficit against Cromwell, Connecticut, ultimately winning the match 7-6 to advance in the tournament. In the semifinals, they managed another thrilling comeback, defeating Medford, Oregon, 4-3 by scoring three runs in the late innings.
The championship game attracted a record-breaking attendance of 8,826 spectators, the highest turnout for the American Legion World Series since 1949. Following their only loss, Chapin-Newberry capitalized on the opportunity to regain their momentum and achieved victory over New Orleans once more to claim the championship title.
Player Justin Hawkins, a standout from the 2015 roster, was recognized as the George W. Rulon Player of the Year after hitting three home runs during the World Series. The team not only excelled in their tournament games but also swept through the state and regional tournaments, facing formidable teams from various states along the way.
The memories forged during the 2015 season extend beyond the field; camaraderie included lighthearted pranks and joyous moments shared among teammates. The complete roster boasted 24 players and a supportive coaching staff, leading to multiple awards and recognitions in both state and World Series tournaments.
Looking ahead, the current 2025 Chapin-Newberry team will host home games at 7 PM on different dates, with the championship anniversary celebration slated for June 27. This event not only marks a game but also stands as a reunion for a team whose bonds and friendships created lasting memories during their incredible championship run.
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Chapin-Newberry Celebrates 10th Anniversary
- Wikipedia: American Legion Baseball
- Newberry Observer: American Legion Summer Baseball Season Opener
- Google Search: American Legion Baseball
- Cola Daily: Camden Wins S.C. American Legion Baseball Title
- Google Scholar: American Legion Baseball Championship
- The State: High School Sports Updates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- PMG SC: Camden American Legion Updates
- Google News: Baseball Championship South Carolina
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