District 31 American Legion baseball season set to begin

When American Legion pulled the plug on sponsoring baseball last summer, Region 7 director Jason Bush decided to hold a season for Legion teams within his area.

The decision seemed to be a good one.

Nine teams from District 31, along with member teams from from Cambria, Bedford, Blair, Mifflin and Somerset counties decided to hold a season using Legion rules. They ended up playing a regional tournament, and things went better than expected, according to Bush.

“A lot of regions were surprised we pulled it off,” Bush said. “We were praised, and it helped grow leagues in the region.”

District 31 includes 11 teams this season, which was scheduled to begin with three games Wednesday: Latrobe at Young Township, Mt. Pleasant at Yough and Murrysville facing Kiski Valley. Unity and Kiski Valley return for this season after missing last year. The league also includes teams from Derry, Hempfield East, West Hempfield and Bushy Run.

Because the Hempfield, Norwin, Greensburg Central Catholic, Penn-Trafford and Franklin Regional varsity teams advanced to the WPIAL playoffs, some teams are delaying the start of their season.

Latrobe was the regular-season champion in 2020. Bushy Run, however, won the playoffs, and Yough, the third qualifier from the county to play in the region tournament at Hollidaysburg, finished the highest among the three teams.

“Yough got hot at the end of the season,” said Bush, who also coaches Latrobe. “It was an exciting season.”

Look for Latrobe, Bushy Run and Yough to be among the top teams again this season. Bushy Run and Yough have some college players on the roster.

“The 2020 season was completely unexpected,” Bushy Run coach Scott Peyman said. “I never thought we’d pull it off, and it was big for the players who missed the high school season. For most part, we had no issues.”

Bushy Run welcomes back pitcher Giovanni Scott (Pitt-Johnstown), corner infielder Gavin Berardi, outfielder Matt Lichota, outfielder Riley Bellan and catcher Cole DeFillippo.

“We’re going to be OK. Latrobe returns a lot, and Yough has a lot back,” Peyman said. “The league is going to be strong. Watch out for Young Township; it has a good team back. The league is going to be strong.”

The region tournament will be held at St. Michael near Johnstown, and District 31 will have three teams qualify.

Yough coach Craig Spisak is excited with the return of college players Nate Wilkins (Westminster), Mike Bell (Waynesburg), Steve Manion (Saint Vincent) and Cam Pritts (Westmoreland County Community College).

“We should be OK,” Spisak said. “I know playing last summer helped the high school team. I’m looking forward to some great battles.”

Some of Latrobe’s key returning players include Logan Gustafson (WCCC), Ben Anderson, Jake Bradish (Penn State Altoona), Drew Clair and Logan Short. Tucker Knupp would have played, but he has to report to Lehigh in June for football.

The District 31 playoffs are expected to start in early July.