American Legion Baseball

American Legion Baseball.
Celebrating 100 years of Citizenship Through Sportsmanship. #LegionBaseball100

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

The field is set for the 2026 @AmericanLegion Baseball Regionals: https://t.co/qBbIkDDWnj

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

Jeff Kent officially became the 90th former American Legion Baseball player enshrined in the @baseballhall on Sunday when he, Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones were inducted as the Class of 2026: https://t.co/f2ggJTgSBG

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

Jeff Kent will become the 90th American Legion Baseball alumnus enshrined in the @baseballhall this weekend: https://t.co/HpKtGFPcHy

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

Bookmark https://t.co/gV38bACLMG in your browser ahead of next month's national regionals and American Legion World Series! That's your hub for schedules, viewing options and more for the 2026 American Legion Baseball national postseason.

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

"Just a lot of fun playing pure baseball, some of the best days ever.”
@Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh talked about playing @AmericanLegion Baseball after receiving the 2026 ALB Graduate of the Year Award. Read more at https://t.co/9sDRTaMwk3

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

.@AmericanLegion National Commander Wiley presents the 2026 American Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year Award to @Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh ahead of Wednesday night's game.

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

We're in Seattle today for a special award presentation. IYKYK. @AmericanLegion @Mariners

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

Good luck to all our Legion Baseball alumni playing in the #MCWS!
https://t.co/HOh03MGYIs

[NCAA Baseball @NCAABaseball]

Had ourselves a day ⚾️📸

#MCWS

[Jermaine Curtis @JermaineCurtis]

When I was with the St. Louis Cardinals, we had a team meeting about hitting with two strikes.

Albert Pujols was leading it.

At the time, he was hitting something ridiculous with two strikes.

I want to say it was around .265.

Naturally, everyone wanted to know how.

So somebody asked:

"What's your two-strike approach?"

Albert's answer surprised me.

He said:

"I think fastball inside and hit it back through the middle."

That was it.

No complicated mechanics.

No secret formula.

Just:

Fastball inside.

Back through the middle.

I remember sitting there thinking:

"Why would you think fastball inside with two strikes?"

So somebody asked him.

And Albert said something I'll never forget.

He said:

"If I can hit a fastball inside back through the middle..."

"I can hit the fastball away."

"I can stay on the changeup."

"I can stay on the slider."

"I can stay on the curveball."

Then he paused.

And said:

"The ball gets deeper."

That's when it clicked for me.

He wasn't trying to pull the inside fastball.

He was using one thought to cover everything.

The more I thought about it...

The more it made sense.

So I started trying it.

And it changed the way I thought about hitting with two strikes.

Instead of worrying about every pitch...

I focused on one.

Fastball inside.

Back through the middle.

See it DEEP.

If you're struggling with two strikes, here's what I'd do tonight:

Round 1: Short Box

(Set the distance somewhere between front toss and batting practice.)

Have a coach throw only fastballs inside.

Your only thought:

"Fastball inside."

Drive the ball back through the middle.

10 swings.

Round 2: Mix Speeds

Now the coach mixes:

- Fastballs
- Changeups
- Breaking balls
- Sliders

But your thought never changes.

You're still looking:

"Fastball inside."

10 swings.

Round 3: Two-Strike BP

Every pitch starts 0-2.

Compete.

Battle.

Use the same approach.

"Fastball inside."

Back through the middle.

10 swings.

That's it.

30 focused swings.

One thought.

One approach.

One goal.

Drive the baseball back through the middle.

One thing I've learned:

Most hitters get worse with two strikes because they add thoughts.

Albert got better because he removed them.

With two strikes, simplicity is a weapon.

Thank you for reading,
Jermaine Curtis

P.S. - If you enjoyed this and thought it was helpful, please share it.

(When you share it, it tells me you want more content like this.)

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

DYK that we have former @AmericanLegion Baseball players on each of the 16 teams playing in this weekend's @NCAABaseball Super Regionals? Check out the details: https://t.co/73Pqfhhvo5
#RoadToOmaha

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

American Legion Baseball teams who participate in Lou Gehrig Day are encouraged to share photos and details on the Baseball tab at https://t.co/2cYDtgHJYi. Go to https://t.co/FE48fgRukS to access a speech teams can use for their Lou Gehrig Day event. (3/3)

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

Since 2021, @MLB has observed Lou Gehrig Day on June 2 to raise awareness of ALS and those afflicted with the disease that affects the nervous system. Gehrig, a Hall of Fame first baseman with the New York Yankees, died on June 2, 1941 — his 37th birthday — from ALS.
(1/3)

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

A 2021 resolution adopted by @AmericanLegion encourages “every American Legion Baseball team to observe a moment of silence before their game(s) each year on June 2 in memory of Major League Baseball’s great Lou Gehrig and all veterans who suffer or have died from ALS.” (2/3)

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

The deadline to register your team for the 2026 @AmericanLegion Baseball season is JUNE 1. Head home & finish registration at https://t.co/fBwTCiGKTB.

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

While the Military Classic ended up being rained out at the @baseballhall on Memorial Day Weekend, the players and coaches still found a way to honor veterans: https://t.co/R4m8vkWz1B

[American Legion Baseball @legionbaseball]

#MemorialDay

[The American Legion @AmericanLegion]

On Memorial Day, we honor those who gave everything for our freedom.

We remember. We never forget.

#MemorialDay #HonorTheFallen #PoppyinMemory

[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ @baseballhall]

We spent one of our favorite times of the year honoring the heroes who made it possible.

This Memorial Day Weekend was an instant Classic!

[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ @baseballhall]

Rain or shine, Cooperstown is always a great time.

Thank you to everyone who made this Memorial Day Weekend so special! https://t.co/5zTFA1Gojt

[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ @baseballhall]

Jonny Gomes wins the Home Run Derby in a swing-off and @ChickenMan3010 is hyped!

[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ @baseballhall]

This afternoon’s game has been canceled due to inclement weather.

Your game ticket will allow you free entry into the Museum until 5 p.m. this evening courtesy of @NewEraCap, and we are offering a special lineup of programs in the Museum today featuring the game participants.