** Please Note: This is not the Official AAABA web site. This is an independent website devoted to providing both current and historical information about the AAABA tournament. To reach the Official AAABA website, please visit our Links menu on the left. All Official AAABA business and related inquiries should be directed to the official site. All other inquiries and suggestions are welcome! Enjoy the site!! **
Congratulations to AAABA Alumnus Barry Larkin on his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame!
Mr. Larkin played in the 1983 AAABA with the Detroit franchise. Detroit finished second in the 1983 tourney losing to Baltimore in the Championship Game. Mr. Larkin becomes the fourth AAABA alum to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame joining Reggie Jackson (Baltimore), Rod Carew (New York City), and Al Kaline (Maryland State).
To view the entire list of former AAABA Players that have advanced to play Major League Baseball click the link below:
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Congratulations to the Baltimore Youse's Orioles on their Record 28th AAABA National Championship
Photo courtesy of Brian Varmecky ( www.aaabatournament.com )
This site is dedicated to preserving the history and tradition of AAABA Baseball
The city of Johnstown welcomes you to one of the finest amateur baseball tournaments in the country. Every August, Johnstown transforms into a baseball lovers paradise hosting numerous games from morning to night, every day throughout the week. Johnstown, Pennsylvania has played host to the event for over 60 years and in 1993 was voted the permanent home of the tournament. Johnstown is a special place to be in August... the smell of popcorn and hot dogs fill the air, fathers and sons talking baseball, the crack of the wooden bat, the roar of the crowd, and the booming sounds of cannons firing from the nearby hillside when the home team scores.
There is something special about the atmosphere – its old time baseball at its best. No big dollar contracts or egos here, just kids playing for the love of the game, hustling on every ground ball, and carrying the dream of someday wearing a major league uniform. Its this special atmosphere that has kept fans coming back for generations, not to mention the extraordinary level of talent. Although no official tally exists, over 400 former AAABA players have gone on to play in the major leagues with hundreds of others advancing to the professional level. Reggie Jackson, Al Kaline, Steve Garvey, Barry Larkin, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, and Ken Griffey Jr. are just a few of the outstanding players that have passed through the AAABA.
2008 OPENING NIGHT
2008 OPENING NIGHT - A RAINBOW HANGS OVER POINT STADIUM
2007 OPENING NIGHT CROWD
AAABA Quick Facts
Over 400 AAABA players have advanced to Major League Baseball
60 AAABA players have been Major League All Stars
4 AAABA players have been elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame (R. Jackson, R. Carew, A. Kaline, B. Larkin)
6 AAABA players have been named an MLB MVP (R. Carew, B. Larkin, S. Garvey, K. Griffey Jr, J. Torre, R. Jackson)
5 AAABA players have won the Cy Young Award (P. Vuckovich, S. Lyle, O. Hershiser, B. Welch, J. Smoltz)
6 AAABA players have been named MLB’s Rookie of the Year (J. Matlack, W. Weiss, R. Carew, M. Fydrich, T. Sizemore, C. Sabo)
7 AAABA players have been named MLB’s Manager of the Year (B. Showalter, J. Torre, J. Tracy, T. Kelly, J. McKeon, B. Bochy, B. Rodgers)
*The Washington DC franchise has sent over 60 players to the Major Leagues – more than any other franchise
*Baltimore has played in 33 championship games and won 27 AAABA titles, by far the most of any franchise
*Baltimore won a record 6th straight tournament with their 2008 championship
*Host Team Johnstown has never won the tournament
*28 Baltimore players have been named the AAABA MVP
*Roger Bowman’s AAABA Tournament Strike-Out Record of 71 in 27 1/3 innings in 1945 may be one of the most impressive pitching performances of all time and will likely never be broken. Bowman recorded 24 strike outs in one game twice. The next closest to Bowman is 36 K’s held by three individuals.
*Mike Bradley of Chicago posted a tournament record .739 batting average in 1989, going an amazing 17 of 23. (minimum 20 at-bats)
*At Least five former AAABA players have went on to successful careers in the National Football League: Joe Theismann, Jeff Hostetler, John Stofa, Paul Martha, and Tom Yewcic
Johnstown's Point Stadium
