American Legion experiences record growth this season

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Ballfields this summer will be dotted with more American Legion teams than ever before.

Thirteen to be exact; up from last year's eight.

The oldest program, however, is sticking to one level.

Paradise Post 79, which has consisted of West Pasco players for the past 13 seasons, is only fielding an A team.

Odessa Post 147 (based in Land O'Lakes), Dade City Post 15 and Zephyrhills Post 118 are adding C teams. Mitchell is fielding a B team for the second season and a C team for the first time.

American Legion A teams are the equivalent of high school varsity squads and can include 18-year-olds, some of whom are college freshmen.

B and C teams are akin to junior varsity and middle school clubs.

"This gives younger kids a chance to play," said Odessa coach Calvin Baisley, who also coaches Land O'Lakes' varsity team.

"We have enough kids and we have enough coaches to coach it," Odessa assistant Billy Garcia said.

A record turnout of 65 ballplayers led Dade City coach Ricky Giles (Pasco) to add two C teams.

"This way, we give all the kids a chance to play," Giles said. "We're trying to build the program."

Zephyrhills coach Bruce Cimorelli (Zephyrhills) said having a C team should produce more capable pitchers for the A and B squads down the line.

While the younger teams serve as high school feeder programs, the older teams allow returning ballplayers to get additional experience. That experience, at least for Zephyrhills pitchers Jake Cimorelli, the coach's son, and Joe Duffau, will come at other positions.

"They'll pitch some, but I don't want to burn their arms out," Cimorelli said.

Giles takes the opposite approach and plans to give frontline Pasco pitchers Matt Prowant, Chris Nyman and Matt Smith plenty of innings.

"I think we've got a lot of pitching," Giles said. "A lot of my pitchers are coming back."

Giles, Baisley, Cimorelli and Mitchell coach Phil Bell each have plenty of assistants to help out, giving all three ample time to survey each level.

"Coach Baisley will be there at almost every (A, B and C) home game and he'll get to evaluate the talent," Garcia said.

Giles plans to let Pasco assistant Leon Shoupe take the reins of the Dade City A squad, giving him more time to check out the other levels.

Having more ballplayers on various levels, Giles said, provides more instructional sessions with less emphasis on winning.

While most Legion teams begin play Friday, Paradise (1-2) got a jump on its county counterparts. Post 79 followed Thursday's 3-2 win over Countryside with Sunday doubleheader losses -- 10-7 and 7-2 -- to St. Petersburg.

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