Post 22 Hardhats continue to build their programs legacy in their 100th season

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — Post 22 Baseball is celebrating 100 years of American Legion Baseball this year.

The Hardhats have a decorated history that includes an 18-season state title streak, as well as a National Championship.

After hosting the American Legion World Series in 1975, Post 22 made it a mission to become more competitive and just two years later they reached their first World Series.

On game nights, locals and alumni gather to see each year’s new team aim for that state, regional and world series title.

“…and I think that’s really important, you know, it brings the community together and they have something to cheer for. It’s almost like the old town teams that old time baseball used to have. This is our town team and people come out to support them and that’s really important,” Lifelong Fan Patty Ploof said.

Post 22 currently is the only team from South Dakota to ever win a National Championship as they did back in 1993, current assistant coach Brian Ogle was a player on that team.

“I think the mission of the program is to forge young men through the game of baseball and I think that’s what this program does. Not only do you learn the game of baseball, but we’re dealing with young men who are going into adulthood and we feel like we get to contribute to that,” Post 22 Coach/Alumni Brian Ogle said.

The hardhats are coached by alumni Kelvin Torve who brings professional experience after being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1981.

“First, I got the head coach job about eight or nine years ago and I started this thing I call the advisory board. It’s long time fans who watched me play. I mean these guys every year we ask how long you’ve been watching Post 22 baseball and it’s anywhere from 30 to 40 to 50 years, some guys have been watching for 50 years,” Post 22 Head Coach/Alumni Kelvin Torve said

Back in 1976 David Ploof started the Firecracker tournament which this year celebrated its 50th event and every year it brings teams from all over the nation to compete at the highest level for six straight days.

This year’s team gets to represent this program in its 100th American Legion season.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s any more special than any other team necessarily. I’d definitely say there’s a cool component to it being that on top of the 50th Firecracker this year. But it’s really the same goal every year, just being able to string together wins, represent the program, and represent Rapid City in the light this tradition has held so strongly to them and we get to display that on the field for everybody.” Post 22 Pitcher Jadon Moreno said

“We have some of the best fans, I would argue in the world that come out and support us no matter the record, no matter the weather. So I think to illustrate to them how important it is to the community and the standard in which we expect to attack the game and play the game not only for ourselves and our families but for the community itself.” Ogle said

Generations of families have grandparents who once played now watching their grandkids play for the same program.

“That’s what’s neat, a lot of the families that played back in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, they’re still coming to the ballpark. You know, I see them and that’s so nice that they want to come and support,” Ploof said.

Each new team aims to represent the past as best as they can while continuing to build for future Hardhats to follow in their footsteps.

“Getting to represent that, again it all goes back to getting to share the tradition. One way Coach Torve says it, that it’s kind of like a fraternity. Like there’s going to be brothers that we have that maybe we haven’t met that will play in this program down the line in 20 years that we get to share a common bond with just because we wore Rapid City across our chest.” Moreno said

Each year is dedicated to people who’ve paved the way as well as those in the community who continue to give out their support as each generation showcases their talents in America’s pastime.

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