C.P. Van Derlist, head of South Dakota’s American Legion chapter, talked to Dakota News Now earlier this week regarding the rape scandal involving Mitchell’s American Legion baseball program.
Van Derlist expressed deep concern for the victims, their families, and the community, emphasizing the need for time to heal.
The affiliation with the Mitchell Baseball Association has been suspended, pending the outcome of the trials.
Van Derlist stressed the importance of implementing policies to prevent such incidents in the future and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to instilling values of sportsmanship and citizenship in youth.
Despite the scandal, American Legion programs continue to serve the community, with a focus on supporting unaffected players and reviewing policies to prevent future tragedies.