Wicomico Post 64 was the first sponsor for Salisbury area American Legion Baseball during the late 1950's. When the program faltered in the mid 1970's it would be another twenty years before American Legion Baseball returned. In 1994, Spirit of Democracy Post 145 under the stewardship of Post Commander Mike Wilson and former Major League Baseball player and Green Bay Packers National Football League Star Tom Brown, as Post 145 Team Manager, revived Salisbury area legion baseball with five highly successful seasons before passing the torch back to Wicomico Post 64.
Post 64 continues to be one of the premier sponsors of American Legion Baseball in the Eastern Shore District (ESD) and within the State of Maryland. Post 64 has averaged 44 games per season winning the ESD Championships in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 while finishing in second place in 1998, 1999 and 2002, the year Salisbury hosted the State Tournament at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. Post 64 finished 2nd in the State in 2004 losing the championship game with Gaithersburg Post 295 in the bottom of the 9th inning 8 to 7.
The baseball program budget averages $11,500 annually with Post 64 shouldering nearly all of the expenses with continued fan support from Post 145. Also supporting the team are local Wicomico County and Salisbury area merchants, community/civic organizations, parents of players and friends.
The baseball program budget averages $11,500 annually with Post 64 shouldering nearly all of the expenses with continued fan support from Post 145. Also supporting the team are local Wicomico County and Salisbury area merchants, community/civic organizations, parents of players and friends.
Since 1998, nearly 100 young men have participated in the Post 145 and Post 64 baseball program. A little over 50 percent of the players have moved on to play college baseball with some moving on to the professional level. A list of former and current Post 64 and Post 145 players with college baseball experience includes the following:
Marty Hebert - Dartmouth University Dennis Lane - Towson University * Brian Shipe - Salisbury University Andrew Mitchell - McDainiel College Bobby Rodriguez - Thomas College Randy Scott - Narzarene College Jamie Gladden - DelTech Community College Aaron Ennis - Salisbury University Carson Rathel - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Brandon Laws - Tennessee Wesleyan University Galen Morres - Salisbury University Ben Taylor - Florida Institute of Technology Leon Tilghman - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Bobby Shaw - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Chuckie Upshur - Montreat College Jake Jones - Mt. St. Mary's College Joel Maher - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Dereck Casper - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Terry Gallo - Towson University Bobby McCauley - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Matt Higgins - University of Maryland Baltimore Campus Gray Kitchens - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Anthony DeRosa - DelTech Community College Mark Swift - McDaniel College Jake Fiedler - Chicago State University Sean Adams - Salisbury University Sean Davis - University of Maryland Eastern Shore David Whigham - Guilford College * Nate Downes - Washington College John McIntyre - DelTech Community College | Todd Hall - Chesapeake Community College Tyler Riley - Salisbury University Ryan Clohessy - University of Virginia (Club) Jason Janeski - University of Maryland Eastern Shore James Walls - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Gordon Krester - Virginia Tech (Club) Jordan Palmer - DelTech Community College & Southern University Mike Castrignano - DelTech Community College * Ben Kirk - Messiah College Brandon Records - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Steve Benvenuto - Mt. St. Mary's College Jeff Malcom - St. Mary's College Marty Zawacki - University of Maryland Baltimore Campus Derrek Johnson - Cecil Community College Keith Schoffstall - DelTech Community College Billy Laird - DelTech Community College Bobby Somers - DelTech Community College Mike Boswell - Harford Comunity College Kyle Hayes - Chesapeake Community College Will Evans - Salisbury University Brian Green - Salisbury University Dominic Favazza - St. Joseph's University Ruben Rodriquez - Thomas College Daniel Trivits - Salisbury University Tony Butler - Southern Maryland College and DelTech Community College Lucas Koenig - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Seth Illian - Tusculum College Miles Illian - Tusculum College Jake Ross - Catonsville Community Colleg Mike Castrignano - Independent League Dennis Lane - Independent League * indicates: Currently or previously played professional baseball |
At the 2007 Maryland State Baseball Tournament, Wicomico Post 64 senior 2nd baseman, Jeff Malcom, became the third player from the ESD player to be awarded the American Legion Baseball Player Scholarship Award for the State of Maryland. In 2005 and in 2003, this award was made to Post 64 players, Alex Salimian and Ryan Clohessy, respectively. Additionally, Brian Green, the Post 64 3rd baseman, received the Maurice L. Shields Scholarship from the Eastern Shore Baseball Foundation.
Several ESD American Legion Baseball players have or do play professionally. Jamie Hammond played at the University of West Virginia, and who was raised in the Salisbury area heads the list. Others include: left handed pitcher Matt Coenan of Charleston Southern University (Talbot Post 70 - Atlanta Braves Farm System); left handed pitcher Corey Willey of Salisbury U. (Dorchester Post 91 - Boston Red Sox Farm System); Josh Clow (Talbot Post 70 - Kansas City minor league organization); Troy Brohawn (Dorchester Post 91 - Arizona Diamondbacks World Series Champions); and David Whigham (Post 64 - Utica Blue Sox of the NY Independent league).
However, the most famous former Major League player from the ESD is future Hall of Fame outfielder Harold Baines. Harold spent most of his long and distinguished career in the big leagues with the Chicago While Sox and Baltimore Orioles. His son, Harold Jr., played for Talbot Post 70 American Legion baseball team in 2004/2005.
However, the most famous former Major League player from the ESD is future Hall of Fame outfielder Harold Baines. Harold spent most of his long and distinguished career in the big leagues with the Chicago While Sox and Baltimore Orioles. His son, Harold Jr., played for Talbot Post 70 American Legion baseball team in 2004/2005.
Wicomoico Post 64 Head Coach Gordy Kissner, who started coaching the team in 1998, has been assisted, over the years, by Bobby Rodriguez; Joe Taylor; Brian Hollamon, Rocky Burnett, George Murray and Rob Dorsey.
Note: Player biographical data prior to 1998 not available.