The Kenai Post 20 Twins American Legion baseball team earned one of eight spots into the ALB state championships based on their season record of 10-8.
It just took until the final game of the regular season for Kodiak and Ketchikan to secure the Twins position.
In addition to the results of the final day of action on Tuesday, the brackets for the state tournament were turned upside-down with three teams declared ineligible on Wednesday morning.
Post 20 will enter the state American Legion tournament as the #7 seed and will face #2 seed Dimond on Friday at Mulcahy Park.
The Twins secured their playoff position from the spectator seats; as Kodiak and Ketchikan split a doubleheader on Tuesday, earning Ketchikan a total of 45 points-three points short of the Post 20 Twins 48 points. As a result of the disqualifications, Kodiak moves into the #8 seed for the ALB championships; Ketchikan and Wasilla are ruled out and are eligible for the Matcson Invitational.
Juneau swept a doubleheader against West to lock-in the #1 seed.
ALB State Tournament First Day Bracket: All games at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage
Friday, September 27th
10 a.m. (6) Service vs. (3) Chugiak
12:30 p.m. (5) West vs. (4) South
3:15 p.m. (7) Kenai vs. (2) Dimond
6:15 p.m. (8) Kodiak vs. (1) Juneau
Wasilla, Ketchikan and Palmer Ruled Ineligible
American Legion teams representing Wasilla, Ketchikan and Palmer were ruled ineligible for state tournament play on Wednesday based on a violation of National American Legion Baseball guidelines.
According to a release by ALB Media Director Van Williams…
Every Legion team in the country that advances to these regional games must have proof of insurance by the required date as certified by the National Legion office. The insurance policy has been in place for 30 years and is required by both National Legion and Alaska Legion. The deadline for teams to purchase insurance was May 31. The rule was discussed before the season at Alaska Legion meetings and National Legion sent emails to remind coaches in advance of the deadline. Each Legion post is responsible for registering the team online and paying for the required insurance before the deadline. The practice of team responsibility for registration has been in place in Alaska for several years and all three teams had previously registered and paid insurance on time in past years. The National Legion office made the ruling today in a final eligibility check with Alaska Legion officials prior to the start of postseason competition on Friday. An appeal made by Alaska Legion officials on behalf of the disqualified teams was denied, said Alaska Legion senior official Steve Nerland. The other 13 Alaska Legion teams paid their insurance on time, according to the National Legion office.
All three Alaska Legion teams instead will participate in the Matson Invitational.
ALB State Tournament Seeding Guidelines
According to Alaska Legion guidelines: Each team plays 18 games with the top three teams in each division (National and American) automatically qualifying to the state tournament. Two at-large spots are earned by the remaining teams with the most, earned points.
The top eight team advance to the ALB state tournament and the bottom eight teams will play in the Matson Invitational. Tournament games will be played at Mulcahy Stadium and Bartlett High School.
Final Division Standings
American Division
Team Points Record
*Dimond Post 21 66 16-2
*South Post 4 60 14-4
*Service 28 51 11-7
*Kenai Post 20 48 10-8
**Ketchikan Post 3 45 9-9
* Kodiak Post 17 39 7-11
National Division
Team Points Record
*Juneau Post 25 69 17-1
*Chugiak Post 33 63 15-3
**Wasilla Post 35 57 13-5
*West Post 1 51 11-7
**Ineligible for state tournament play
