CUMBERLAND — Imagine the excitement of a 10-year-old riding through town on the bus with his older brother and the high school team, with a fire engine and police escort celebrating a state baseball championship.

That was one of Chaz Reade’s earliest memories of Greely High baseball – in 2007 when the Rangers beat Winslow 4-0 for the Class B title.

Chaz Reade is a third baseman – like his brother – and a state champion at Greely – like his brother. And their father is president of the boosters. John Ewing/Staff Photographer

SATURDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

BASEBALL

Class A: South Portland (15-4) vs. Bangor (17-2), at Augusta, 3 p.m.

Class B: Greely (14-5) vs. Camden Hills (13-7), at Standish, 4:30 p.m.

Class C: St. Dominic (15-5) vs. Bucksport (15-4), at Bangor, 3 p.m.

Class D: Searsport (15-4) vs. Stearns (16-3), at Standish, 1 p.m.

SOFTBALL

Class A: Scarborough (19-0) vs. Messalonskee (16-3), at Augusta, noon

Class B: Yarmouth (16-3) vs. Hermon (17-2), at Standish, 12:30 p.m.

Class C: Telstar (17-2) vs. Bucksport (18-1), at Brewer, noon

Class D: Richmond (17-0) vs. Stearns (14-6), at Standish, 4 p.m.

BOYS’ LACROSSE

Class A: South Portland (13-1) vs. Brunswick (15-0), at Portland, 10 a.m.

Class B: Cape Elizabeth (12-2) vs. Yarmouth (12-3) at Portland, 3:30 p.m.

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Class A: Marshwood (12-3) vs. Messalonskee (14-1), at Portland, 12:30 p.m.

Class B: Kennebunk (14-1) vs. Yarmouth (11-4), at Portland, 6 p.m.

Reade’s brother, Matt, was the third baseman.

“I remember running onto the field after Greely won and thinking, ‘Wow, I want to be part of something like this when I’m in high school,’ ” Chaz Reade said. “I remember how excited the fans and the players were after the game. Riding in the bus through town was just incredible.”

Fast forward eight years. Chaz, a third baseman and co-captain for the Rangers just like his brother, is poised to help Greely (14-5) win a second straight state title. The Rangers take on Camden Hills (13-7) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s College.

A year ago, Reade was the designated hitter for the Rangers, who beat Caribou 1-0 for the state title. Reade has a chance to go on another title-winning bus ride through town with his friend Calvin Soule, the team’s junior shortstop and son of the Rangers’ coach.

Reade likely wouldn’t be as wide-eyed as the first time, but it would be a fitting end to his high school career and the Reade family connection to Rangers baseball.

“If we win Saturday, I’ll be one up on my brother,” said Chaz, who bats sixth and is hitting .300 with 12 RBI. Over the last two seasons he has a .340 average with 26 RBI.

Reade credits whiffle ball games in the yard with his brother for helping instill his love of baseball.

“I couldn’t compete with him physically because he was so much older, but I learned a lot from him,” he said.

Matt Reade, who went on to play baseball for Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, works for KeyBank in Baltimore. He was at Chaz’s graduation party three weeks ago and plans to return for Saturday’s game.

The Reade name is synonymous with Greely baseball success.

“Between the two of them, they will have played in 19 playoff games,” said Coach Derek Soule. “Matt played in 11 playoff games, winning eight. Chaz has played in seven, winning all seven. Matt and Chaz have been great vocal leaders.

“This is it for the Reade family. It will be different without them.”

That connection to Greely baseball doesn’t end with Matt and Chaz. Their father, Charlie, has totaled eight years as the Greely baseball booster president. He was president when Matt played, took a break, then returned when Soule asked him. Reade works as the director of scholarship programs for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School in Spruce Head.

“We raised money for a freshman program when it couldn’t be supported with school dollars because of cutbacks,” said Charlie Reade. “Derek and assistant coaches Bob Anthoine, Miles Hunt and Mort Soule (Derek’s father) have been great to work with.”

Charlie Reade remembers installing a batting cage in the school for indoor practices.

“We drilled through the wall in what is now the cafeteria to install anchor bolts. It was classic Maine initiative,” he said. “The batting cage remains to this day.”

“Charlie’s contributions go way beyond raising money,” said Derek Soule. “Whatever needs to be done, he makes sure it gets done.”

The father also was a third baseman, playing for Concordia College in Bronxville, New York. Chaz plans to play at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, where his older sister, Jessica, was a standout soccer player.

Asked how he will feel watching Chaz play his last game for Greely, Charlie Reade said: “I’m sure the emotions will be stirring. It’s been a great run.”

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