BRUNSWICK

The American Legion high school baseball season is set to begin in Maine, and for Mid-coast region baseball fans, a third team has been added to the mix.

On Saturday, the local docket has Brunswick at Bethel (9:30 a.m.), Highland Green at Pastime (9:30 a.m.), and Windham at Smith-Tobey (9:30 a.m.)

Highland Green of Topsham will sponsor the newest squad in the American Legion’s Zone III division, as players from School Administrative District 75 and Richmond will join forces, with home games set to be played at Mt. Ararat High School.

Bob Neron leaves his position as longtime coach of Smith-Tobey Post 21 in Bath to take over the squad, many of the players on the roster coming from his Mt. Ararat varsity baseball squad.

“It was a difficult decision to say goodbye to Smith-Tobey, an organization that gave me everything I ever asked for,” said Neron. “I wish I could have brought all the players from Smith-Tobey here with me. But, we are looking to build something here. We want to build up our high school program at Mt. Ararat, just like Lewiston and Oxford Hills has done through the Legion baseball program.”

Highland Green is joined by local squads from Brunswick and Smith-Tobey, along with Andy Valley (Turner, Livermore Falls, Buckfield), Bessey Motors (Oxford Hills, Lake Region), Bethel (Telstar, Gould Academy), Pastime Club (Lewiston), Tri County (Mechanic Falls, Poland), New Auburn (Edward Little, St. Dom’s) and Windham (Gray-New Gloucester, Windham).

Veteran Ararat squad

Neron has a veteran squad, led by college players and former Eagles Joey Van Note (second base), Torrey Charnock (catcher, pitcher), Jordan Daigle (center field) and Brendan Glass (outfield).

From Neron’s 2013 high school squad, look for Sam Ashouwak (designated hitter, OF), Trent Charnock (first base, OF), Sam Coombs (C), Ellison Etnier (P/OF), Caleb Hall (OF), Reilly Kons (third base, OF), Ryan Lathrop (P/OF/INF), Jake Liedman (OF/INF), Zach Miller (OF/INF), Brandon Morrell (OF), Gabe Pelletier (INF) and Dan Porter (3B/P) to contribute.

Richmond’s Eddie Stewart (shortstop, P) and Brady Murray (1B/P/OF) of Cheverus round out the 18-player roster.

“I am really fortunate to have found these guys, and I believe we will be competitive,” said Neron of his squad, which opens against Pastime Club at Lewiston High School at 9:30 a.m. in a nine-inning contest. “Having good college players back helps. I am optimistic.”

Smith-Tobey

Morse High School varsity coach Garrett Olson moves from the Smith-Tobey Junior Legion team to take over the senior squad.

Coming off a solid high school campaign, which included a return trip to the Western Maine Class B semifinals, Olson has a team loaded with proven Shipbuilders.

“I think the transition into summer ball will be very easy and is almost a continuation of the high school season,” said Olson, whose charges host Windham at Kelley Field on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. “I think the split with Morse and Mt. Ararat will help baseball in both towns. Bob (Neron) and I have talked about it for a few years and agreed it’s in the best interest of everyone.

“I expect my legion team to be just as competitive as Morse was this year. And, I’m excited to play the local teams. It’s great for the kids and it’s great for baseball in the area. They all know each other and like to compete against one another.

Former Morse standout Wade Hunt, the only player who did not play for the Shipbuilders this season, returns from college and will catch. He is joined by Paul Whalen (outfield), Aaron Barrett (OF/pitcher), Aaron Doughty (C), Liam McDonough (third base), Chris Paulus (first base), Trenton Moore (shortstop), Zach Holbrook (second base/P), Ethan Winglass (OF), Andrew LaCavera (2B/3B), Keegan McDonough (SS/OF), Casey Watson (3B/OF), Dakota Jacobs (P/OF), Jacob Cressey (P), Matt Fontanez (2B/OF), Brandon Magliozzi (OF) and Josh McDougal (OF).

Brunswick High School varsity coach Bill Ridge will guide this team over the summer.

“We have a very young team,” said Ridge. “Only one returning player from college and two returning seniors. The best part of the players we have this year is the versatility they have. We have a number of guys that can do a lot of different things.

“This will be the best competition many of these players have played against so we are looking forward to this being a good opportunity for players to grow and mature.”

Ridge likes his schedule.

“It will be nice playing against some regular-season rivals,” he said. “In summer baseball it is easy to play passively, but when we play teams like Ararat and Lewiston our guys are always excited to try and win.”

Players on the roster include Zach Lavoie (infield/catcher), Brett Lancaster (first base/pitcher), Jason Carter (OF/P), Brady Larson (OF/P), Adam Casey (OF), Ryan Maciejewski (C/OF), Ryan Brescia (infield), Glen Cutliffe (utility), John Parker (OF/P), Parker Wild (INF/P), Charlie Lowell (1B/P), Zach Meggison (P/UTL), Pearson Cost (UTL), Andrew Kapocious (OF/1B), Elias Henze (INF/P), Will Bessey (OF), Evan Groat (C/OF) and Alex Larson (INF).

On Tuesday, Highland Green will take on Brunswick at Edwards Field in a 5:30 p.m. clash. Other games between the three local squads are June 25 (Highland Green at Smith-Tobey), July 9 (Smith-Tobey at Highland Green), July 11 (Brunswick at Highland Green) and July 13 (Smith-Tobey at Brunswick for a doubleheader).