Ridgefield Junior Legion Team Disqualified For Using An Ineligible Player

The Ridgefield junior American Legion team will not get a chance to win its second state title in three years, and it is not because of a loss on the field.

One game away from the state final, the squad was disqualified from the state tournament for using a player who was declared ineligible for participating in a Baseball Showcase event not sanctioned by the American Legion.

Ridgefield (23-7) defeated Bristol 8-5 on Thursday and was set to play top seed Bethel in the semifinals on Saturday at Danbury High School. The game was postponed Friday.

Instead, Bristol advanced to the semifinals - despite losing to Ridgefield on the field. And Rdgefield's loss was Bristol's gain, as it defeated Bethel 1-0 to reach Sunday's final against Stamford, which outslugged fellow zone four rival Trumbull, 14-6.

Ridgefield won the state title in 2009.

According to national Legion rules regarding dual participation, "American Legion Baseball players or teams may participate in other amateur baseball programs, however the team manager and the player must obtain written approval from the department baseball chairman prior to participating in the event and/or tournament.

"The dual participation shall in no way interfere with a player’s responsibility to his American Legion Baseball team. Once tournament play has begun (district tournament up and through American Legion World Series) the department baseball chairman cannot grant permission to participate in non-Legion sanctioned baseball events, baseball tournaments, exhibition games, showcases or combines."

Connecticut rules state that once American Legion Baseball tournaments begin (district play through World Series play) no player can participate in another amateur baseball program, unless that program has been sanctioned by the American Legion.

Currently, only Baseball Factory and USA Baseball games have been sanctioned.

The Legion states, "the American Legion believes team loyalty is a key ingredient for any team sport. Any American Legion Baseball player missing any portion of an American Legion tournament because that player participated in another non-sanctioned baseball event such as an exhibition game, tournament showcase, combine or other youth programs shall be ineligible for postseason tournament play."