American Legion Preview: Back Again

Posted May 31, 2015 11:00 pm

Michael Jordan did it. So has Brett Favre and Roger Clemens.

Feel free to add the Harrisburg American Legion baseball team to that list.

No matter how hard they tried, all came back after going away for a while.

This season, after a 10-year hiatus, Harrisburg will field an American Legion baseball team this summer.

As part of Post 167, the team will be coached by Doug Emery, as well as, Todd Bittle and Jason Vallette.

A majority of the team will be made up of Harrisburg baseball players, including former Bulldog standout and current Kaskaskia Junior College player Brady Mayer. Along with Mayer, the team will be composed of Bryce Emery, Patrick Bittle, Noah Vallette, Austin Hefner, Tyler Lightner, Tyler Sullivan, Noah Mayer, Britton Riden, Cooper Patterson and Jordan Gould.

Eldorado High School will be represented by incoming seniors Drew Woolcott and Josh Pilkington.

Suffice to say, it's been a while for Harrisburg to field an American Legion team and no one knows that better than Doug Emery.

"My dad (Paul) and my brother (Ron) actually had the team for 25-30 years, back in 70's 80's and 90's and were very successful. We had some really good teams," Emery said. "Back then there weren't as many teams and we were able to draw talent from all over southern Illinois, including Eldorado, Harrisburg, Metropolis, Pope County, Hardin County and Gallatin County."

"Legion baseball is making a comeback and a lot of towns now have teams. So I know this league is going to be strong."

In the end, Emery's mission was more about giving local players a place to play as much as it was bringing back American Legion baseball.

"Rather than having kids trying to get on some travel teams, this gives them a place to play this summer. Plus, this is good for the community and gives them something to come out and support. There are some outstanding teams and the league is going to be pretty strong. It's going to be good competition for the kids."

Harrisburg will play in the 24th District and will square off against teams from Fairfield, Carmi, Flora, Albion, Carrier Mills and Metropolis.

All games will be played at Gibbs Field in Paul Emery Park and the season gets underway Wednesday at home against Metropolis.

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.

Harrisburg American Legion Post 167 Baseball Schedule

6-3 METROPOLIS 7 p.m.

6-5 EVANSVILLE PATE 7 p.m.

6-6 at Paducah 4 p.m.

6-10 PADUCAH 6 p.m.

6-12 CARRIER MILLS 6/8 p.m.

6-13 ALBION 4/6 p.m.

6-14 at Evansville Funkhauser 1 p.m.

6-17 at Metropolis 7 p.m.

6-24 at Carrier Mills 6/8 p.m.

6-26 CARMI 6/8 p.m.

6-28 FAIRFIELD 1:30/4:30 p.m.

7-2/4 at Marion Wood Bat Tournament TBD

7-7 EVANVILLE FUNKHAUSER 6 p.m.

7-11 24th District Tournament (at Fairfield) TBD

7-8 5th Divisional Tournament (at Carmi) TBD

Harrisburg American Legion Post 167 Baseball Schedule

6-3 METROPOLIS 7 p.m. 6-5 EVANSVILLE PATE 7 p.m. 6-6 at Paducah 4 p.m. 6-10 PADUCAH 6 p.m. 6-12 CARRIER MILLS 6/8 p.m. 6-13 ALBION 4/6 p.m. 6-14 at Evansville Funkhauser 1 p.m. 6-17 at Metropolis 7 p.m. 6-24 at Carrier Mills 6/8 p.m. 6-26 CARMI 6/8 p.m. 6-28 FAIRFIELD 1:30/4:30 p.m. 7-2/4 at Marion Wood Bat Tournament TBD 7-7 EVANVILLE FUNKHAUSER 6 p.m. 7-11 24th District Tournament (at Fairfield) TBD 7-8 5th Divisional Tournament (at Carmi) TBD