American Legion Baseball Appoints Senior Team Coach

Ralph Suppa serves as a lieutenant in special operations with Fire Company 23 — Jones Station, and he’s recently added another title — head coach of the American Legion Post 175 senior baseball team.

The team is based in Severna Park’s Manhattan Beach community. American Legion baseball was founded as a summer program in 1925 to teach young people the importance of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship. Teams are assembled after a tryout period, with players living or attending high school in the Severna Park, Broadneck or Pasadena areas.

“This is really a dream come true for me,” Suppa said. “As a first responder and now as a head coach, I get to protect, serve the community I love, do what I love, and now coach the game I love.”

Suppa can’t remember a time when baseball wasn’t part of his life. The longtime Severna Park resident grew up playing in the Green Hornets baseball program before suiting up for Severna Park High School. Suppa was a member of the school’s 2003 baseball team that captured the school’s first state championship in the sport. He then played for the American Legion Post 175 baseball team for several years.

“We are really excited to welcome Ralph Suppa back to American Legion baseball, this time as coach,” said Ambrose Cavegn, commander of Post 175. “I have no doubt that his experience and passion for our post and for baseball will continue to fuel the long and successful legacy that is legion baseball.”

Outside Fire Company 23 — Jones Station, Suppa had been an assistant varsity baseball coach at Severn School since 2016, and he was thrilled with the opportunity to coach the legion’s senior team. He reunites with his former Severna Park junior varsity baseball coach, Dave Ferris, who is the head coach of the American Legion Post 175 junior team.

Suppa approached Ferris last year with interest in assisting the junior league team, and when the senior legion coach position came available, Suppa was a fit.

“He knows Severna Park baseball very well, is very enthusiastic about this opportunity, and I know he’ll do a great job,” Ferris said.

Suppa’s enthusiasm for coaching legion baseball comes from his sense of service to his community and the history of the Post 175 baseball community, where former Major League Baseball players like Mark Teixeira, Josh Banks, Michael Floyd and Gavin Floyd have played.

Suppa’s grandfathers both served in the military, and he’s proud to continue the family’s service legacy. In his locker in the Severna Park firehouse is a photo of Lance Corporal Eric Herzberg, a Marine who played soccer with Suppa.

Herzberg was killed in Iraq in 2006. The photo reminds Suppa not only of his great friend but also to be grateful for Herzberg’s sacrifice and to remind Suppa to always be thankful for what he has.

As the new senior legion coach, Suppa remembers his time as an American Legion baseball player and the men he met when playing.

“I am looking forward to this age group because I think back to my time playing legion baseball and the coaching and mentoring that I received,” Suppa said. “I think part of the job is not only to teach baseball, but to guide their path in the right direction. I want to help these guys become the best young men they can be.”

The high school baseball season is just starting, so players will not be able to assemble as a legion team until the public schools’ season is complete in early June. However, Suppa is already reaching out to local high school coaches and attending preseason workouts with high school players to talk about playing legion ball. The legion schedule will include at least 12 district league games, and Suppa is planning on playing in a couple of non-league tournaments.

The new coach believes the talent and drive of kids in the area could propel Severna Park’s Post 175 back to the American Legion Baseball state championships.

“Winning games and weekend tournaments are great, but there is nothing like the feeling of being part of a state championship team,” Suppa said. “It’s that feeling I want to bring back to this legion baseball community.”

Folks ages 19 and under and interested in playing for the senior legion baseball team can reach Suppa at suppa@wit2.net or 443-540-0726. Those 17 and under and interested in the junior legion team can contact Ferris at dbferris32@comcast.net or 443-848-1022.