September 6, 1982: As American Legion World Series Champions, a Dream Comes True for Boyertown Bears

September 6, 1982: A dream comes true for the Boyertown American Legion Bears’ baseball team. They are the American Legion World Series Champions, the first Pennsylvania baseball team to capture the coveted title. The Bears were only the sixth host team to win the prestigious event.

The festivities began last Wednesday with the World Series Banquet at Sunnybrook Ballroom, featuring speakers Dick Thornburgh, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Bill Giles, the President of the Philadelphia Phillies and Hall of Famer Bob Feller, who remained in Boyertown for all of the games.

The following morning, Pete Rose threw out the ceremonial first ball and the 1982 American Legion World Series was under way.

In the final game of the series, the Bears defeated the team from Lafayette, California 14-8. When winning pitcher John Ludy struck out the last Lafayette batter, the 6563 fans in the stadium (a Legion World Series attendance record) erupted with cheers that were heard all over town.

For head coach Dick Ludy, the mastermind of the Boyertown Legion dynasty, “This is the best feeling I’ve ever had. We’re on top and we’re the best in the world as far as legion baseball goes.” Don Specht, the team’s business manager added, “I’m walking on air right now.”

The highlight of the post-game show was Ivan Snyder receiving both the American Legion Player of the Year and the Louisville Slugger Batting Award with a record-breaking average in national play: .646. He was the first Pennsylvania player to receive the coveted awards in the 57-year history of the American Legion Baseball World Series.

The coach of the Lafayette, California team, receiving the runner-up trophy, spoke about the tournament, saying, “This is the kind of crowd we can only wish for n California.” (The Bears will win their second national title in 1987.)

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