Bandits didn’t win the World Series this year, but a dispute with American Legion baseball should lead to rule changes

IDAHO FALLS — Did the Idaho Falls Bandits baseball team get robbed of a return trip to the American Legion World Series?

That’s a question that still lingers, even weeks after the national tournament.

By the way, congrats to Chesapeake, Virginia, for winning the 2025 American Legion World Series title.

But back in Idaho Falls, the feeling that the American Legion system failed still hovers over the Bandits program like a cold dark cloud.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The two-time World Series champion Bandits were one win away from advancing to another World Series back on Aug. 10 when they faced the Portland, Oregon, Barbers in the Northwest Regional final.

Oregon beat the Bandits, and then beat them again in an if-necessary game to earn the Northwest Regional title and the berth to the American L