He’s only been on the job for one season, but Hiscock-Fishbaugh American Legion Post #788 Baseball Coach Daryl Wolf has already accomplished something no other Post #788 coach has done. Local civic leaders and Post #788 members were on-hand Wednesday night, September 10, to congratulate Coach Wolf and team members as they presented their Monroe County championship trophy – the first in Post #788 history.
This year’s 18 wins and 4 losses in league play was no easy feat, with many wins secured in the last inning. “Historically, our teams haven’t hit well, but what won games for us were our pitching and defense,” Coach Wolf told those in attendance. “We spoiled several rallies by our opponents, some in the last inning.”
Monroe County and District 7 American Legion Baseball coordinator George Debray echoed that sentiment: “These boys weren’t as strong as some of the other teams in the league but they played good, fundamental baseball.”
While the Hiscock-Fishbaugh team bowed out of the District 7 tournament after one win and two losses, finishing the season with an overall record of 19 wins and 6 loses, the 18-man squad can truly say they earned it themselves. “One of the things that sets (Post #788’s teams) apart from the others is that we only select Hilton players,” said Hilton-Parma Recreation Assistant Director of Recreation Jim Volkmar. “I’ve been associated with Legion baseball for many years and while other Post teams can recruit from multiple schools, Post 788 has only selected from Hilton.”
After presenting the Monroe County championship trophy to the Hiscock-Fishbaugh post, Coach Wolf and the team were recognized by State Senator Joe Robach and Monroe County Legislator Dick Yolevich, who also presented the team with a certificate of recognition from the county legislature.
Since its beginning in 1925, thousands of baseball players have enjoyed the competition in the American Legion program. Fifty-three former players are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The American Legion baseball program is a training ground for future college and professional players. More than 70 percent of college players have experience in Legion baseball. On the professional baseball scene, more than 50 percent played Legion baseball.
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