A favorite by any other name is still just as tough to beat, and Pastime Club, formerly known as two-time defending state champion Gayton Post, is still the favorite in American Legion Zone 3 baseball.

With much of the nucleus that went 21-0 in the zone last year returning, Pastime coach Todd Cifelli has the depth and balance to make a run at a third consecutive state title.

In addition to stalwarts from Lewiston High School’s Eastern Class A regional finalist, Pastime brings back a proven trio of post-grads, Mekae Hyde, Joe Sullivan and Ben Wigant and some emerging contributors from Lisbon.

“We have a veteran group. Basically, our pitching rotation from last year returns,” Cifelli said. “I’m very excited with the post-grads coming back. I think along with talent, they have strong leadership qualities.”

Cifelli’s club’s new moniker isn’t the only change in Zone 3. Dixfield has disbanded, leaving nine teams in the zone.

On the field, changes include implementation of the BBCOR bats introduced to Maine high school baseball this spring. The new bats have less of a trampoline effect on contact and are meant to be safer than the old aluminum bats. The most notable side effect is lower scores.

Another change that will impact strategy is the elimination of the re-entry rule. In the past, players could be substituted for a pinch runner or pinch hitter and re-enter the game. Now, due to a change at the national level, once a player leaves the game, he can’t return.

Coaches said the rule will affect their strategy and, more important, limit playing time for some players. Instead of having an opportunity to get everyone into a game, they will have to keep at least one player on the bench in case of a late injury.

“It makes it difficult to get kids into the game, no question,” Mechanic Falls coach Don King said. “The other day, we were up 4-1 in the seventh against Bessey Motors and I probably would have pinch hit a couple of kids. I couldn’t take the chance because of the no re-entry rule.”

“I’ll roll the dice if I have to to keep kids playing,” Andy Valley coach Wendell Strout said. “It gives me less tools to work with, that’s for sure.”

Bessey Motors of South Paris joined Gayton/Pastime in the past two state tournaments and could challenge the defending champions. Drawing from Oxford Hills, Fryeburg and Lake Region, Bessey has made the state tournament nine of the past 10 years.

Bethel, which includes five members of Western Class C runner-up Telstar, representatives from Gould Academy and Mountain Valley and post-grads, could be the team to break the Lewiston/South Paris stranglehold on Zone 3 state bids.

“We should be in contention,” coach Rick Whitney said. “We have a good group, an experienced group that’s mostly played two or three years of Legion.”

Rogers Post of New Auburn disbanded in 2010 due to lack of interest and returned last year to mixed results. This year’s team hopes to improve with an infusion of veterans from Edward Little, EL swing and junior varsity players, and former Lewiston players. 

“It’s great to see the interest coming back and this group of younger kids getting involved,” coach Troy Crane said. “With the freshman and middle school athletes that are coming up through Auburn, I think 153 will come back and flourish.”

Andy Valley of Turner is hoping to build on Leavitt’s first post-season appearance since 1998. Spruce Mountain’s Brandon Hodges and Leavitt post-grad Jason Fisher. Strout is also hoping some players from Buckfield’s Western D championship team will join by the June 20 deadline.

Mechanic Falls could be a surprise team with a roster of standouts from Poland’s rising program, brothers Kurt and Zak Johnson from St. Dom’s and post-grads such as Connor King and Shane Waters.

The state tournament will be held at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach Aug. 1-5. The Ballpark will also host the Northeast regional for the second consecutive year, Aug. 9-13.

Zone 3 American Legion

Local Players to Watch

Andy Valley — Matt Bilodeau, Josh Bunker, Brandon Hodges, Jake Ouellette

Bethel — Jeb Clarke, Ben Field, Corey Howard, Danny Whitney

Mechanic Falls — Kurt Johnson, Connor King, Jake Simard, Shane Waters

Pastime Club — Luke Cote, Corbin Hyde, Mekae Hyde, Joe Sullivan

Rogers Post — Nate Blais, Josh Delong, J.J. Jackson, Corey Moholland