SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — After a closed door meeting that would determine if the Mitchell Baseball Association could make their return to American Legion baseball, commissioners decided more discussion on the matter is required.

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C.P. Van Delist, South Dakota Legion Adjutant, said the Legion Athletic Commission did not yet reach a decision regarding the future of Mitchell Legion Post 18 Baseball during the meeting in Pierre on Thursday, but was thankful to all of the Mitchell baseball board members that showed up to the discussion.

The Mitchell Legion baseball team’s 2025 season was canceled by the South Dakota American Legion in 2024. Legion officials laid out a list of requirements to be met for reinstatement.

Six former Mitchell Legion baseball players were initially charged with raping a teammate at a Rapid City hotel in 2023. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the rape charges but eventually made plea deals, with all six eventually admitting to being an accessory to a felony.

Van Delist, said Mitchell’s return to the league is conditions-based not timeline-based. He added that Legion commissioners had good conversation with Mitchell Baseball board members, and the commission would need more time to come to a decision.

The Legion Athletic Commission will have future meetings discussing the conditions for Mitchell’s return to the Legion League.

Last year, Van Delist said in a letter the Mitchell Baseball Association “shall” appoint a new board of directors and pick a new coach if it wants to participate in American Legion Baseball. Van Delist’s letter accused Mitchell head coach Luke Norden, who was acquitted of misprision of a felony and not reporting child abuse in the case, of not doing enough to help young people.