Kritscher Wins Batting Title After Legion Discovers Error

Third baseman Ryan Kritscher, a starter on the Newbury Oaks baseball team that won the American Legion World Series last weekend in Fargo, N.D., will be in the national record book after all.

Because of a statistical error, Kritscher was deprived of a national award for having the highest batting average in regional and Series play. Kritscher had seven hits in Sunday’s doubleheader and was 22 for 49 over the 12 games, an average of .448.

Statistics supplied by tournament officials at the Southwest regional gave Kritscher five extra at-bats. Brannon Weigel of Fargo, who was 13 for 29 in regional and Series competition, was given the award.

Legion officials said the players will be listed as co-recipients of the honor, the Rawlings Big Stick Award. Kritscher batted .4489 to Weigel’s .4482.

“That’s great,” said Kritscher, who said he thought something was amiss but didn’t mention it to Legion officials.

Kritscher becomes the fourth Newbury Oaks player to win an award based on regional and Series play. Shortstop David Lamb was named national player of the year, first baseman Trent Martin was given the Cowger Award for most runs batted in (17), and left-hander Tighe Curran won the Bob Feller Award for most strikeouts (35).