DEDHAM — Ryan Ward of Dedham is one of nine players nationwide who have been selected to this year’s American Legion Baseball All-Academic Team.
Ward, a 2014 graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, was a three-sport athlete for the Crusaders and competed for the Bangor-based Motor City American Legion baseball team for the past two summers.
The son of Karl and Kathy Ward was selected by the American Legion World Series Scholarship Committee to be the New England (Region 1) award recipient for the national team based on academic achievement. He previously earned similar honors on the state level and was recognized at the Maine American Legion baseball tournament in August.
While at Bapst, Ward was a finalist in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program competition as well as an AP Scholar with Distinction.
Ward attends Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and is engaged in pre-medical study.
The American Legion World Series Scholarship Committee selects one player from eight regions around the country to be part of the All-Academic Team. Each selection receives a $2,500 scholarship. An overall top academic player is named the team captain and is awarded a $5,000 scholarship.
Diamond Sports, a leading manufacturer of baseball merchandise and maker of the official baseball used during Legion national tournaments, provides $25,000 in scholarship funds for the All-Academic Team.