By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Members of the 2015 Chapin-Newberry Post 193 American Legion baseball team were honored Sunday for winning the 2015 American Legion World Series.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_DSC_0015.jpgMembers of the 2015 Chapin-Newberry Post 193 American Legion baseball team were honored Sunday for winning the 2015 American Legion World Series. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — Residents from all over the Midlands came out Sunday congratulate the Chapin-Newberry Post 193 American Legion baseball team for winning the 2015 American Legion World Series.

“Labor Day weekend was the perfect time to do this event, because Newberry gets the job done,” said Jimmie Coggins, moderator of the event.

Joe Lysaght, department commander of The American Legion Department of South Carolina, expressed his pride in the team and how winning the World Series has truly helped South Carolina.

“A lot of unique things are to be said about this team. In 79 years there has not been a team that has played in the World Series like Chapin-Newberry,” he said. “There are only 55 department commanders. Each time I met one during a conference, I let them know I am from the great state of South Carolina and home of the 2015 World Series champions, Chapin-Newberry.”

According to Lysaght, of the 50 states represented by 50,000 teams, there were none bigger or better. He also said he was looking forward to going to Shelby, N.C., (where the World Series took place) because he knows they can do it again.

“What you did for the membership program in South Carolina will not go unnoticed or unrewarded,” Lysaght said.

Legree Oswald, director of South Carolina American Legion Baseball, said that throughout the series you could always see the determination in their faces. He added that when they lost to the Louisiana team, he knew they would beat them if they played again because they were that determined.

During the celebration event, players, coaches and the leaders of the American Legion Post 24 and 193 were congratulated by multiple public officials. The team received resolutions and proclamations from the City of Newberry and Chapin, Newberry County Council and from the S.C. House and S.C. Senate.

Newberry Mayor Foster Senn and Chapin Mayor Skip Wilson presented a joint proclamation to the team.

“This is a great day in the history of Newberry. You kept us going and we are so proud of you,” Senn said.

“The support that Newberry and Chapin has given this team shows how proud we are of you, congratulations,” Wilson said.

Newberry County Councilman Henry “Buddy” Livingston presented a county resolution that congratulated the team for its hard work this summer.

“It is amazing to see some of you from birth progress through baseball. Thank you again for promoting Newberry in a positive way. I look forward to great things in the future from you,” he said. “Parents, I know it took a lot from you to get them here, thank you.”

Sen. Ronnie Cromer, Rep. Walt McLeod and Rep. Chip Huggins from Lexington County jointly presented proclamations from the House and the Senate. The proclamations were also for the coaches, John Talbot, vice commander of Post 24; Richard Strobel, Post 193 commander; and Robert Livingston, team manager.

“It is an honor and a privilege. Congratulations, guys. Baseball is a lot like life, it has its ups and downs, good times and bad,” Huggins said. “You have made us so proud, on and off the field.”

McLeod thanked the team for putting Chapin and Newberry on the map throughout the country.

Members of the American Legion Post 82 in Shelby, which hosted on World Series tournament, presented the American Flag that flew during the World Series to Post 24 and Post 193 to display.

Team Captain Peyton Spangler said the experience has been a blessing and that it has all just started to sink in. Justin Hawkins, American Legion Player of the Year, said none of it could be done without teamwork.

“I could not do it without this team. They backed me up the entire way,” Hawkins said.

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.