Like everything else in Maine American Legion baseball, Zone 3 continues to buck the trend of America’s supposedly shrinking pastime and show growth. The central division of what is now a five-zone state is now at 10 teams, up from seven clubs only two years ago.

Posts drawing from Class A programs remain the league favorites, with pitching depth and state tournament experience likely separating Bessey Motors and New Auburn from the pack. Kyle Bussiere, Corey LaRue, Adam Lutz, Mike Muise, Shane Ciriello and Devin Flynn highlight a loaded lineup for NAL Post 153.

Battery mates Ryan Yates and Matt Verrier anchor the attack for Bessey, which draws heavily from Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. Oxford Hills experienced its ups and downs during the high school campaign, but don’t forget that Beesey only tied for third in last year’s Legion season before catching fire, winning the Zone tournament and winding up third in the state.

Gayton’s rotation includes Eddie West and Jeff Keene of Lewiston, Kyle Neagle of Lisbon and Will Emerson of St. Dom’s. Post 31 will swing the bats, also, as evidenced by a 9-7 win over Cole Farms last weekend. The Gray-New Gloucester/Windham entry lost only four regular-season games last season and welcomes back Joe Billings and Josh Sundquist to a hard-hitting lineup.

Gilman Electric is off to a solid 2-0 start, and its top three pitchers return with either college or prep school experience. Rumford will rely on the Mountain Valley and Dirigo nucleus of Justin Staires, Jon Smith and Matt Laubauskas.

Don’t discount Andy Valley, which draws players from Western Class C champion Livermore Falls in addition to Leavitt and Jay. The Turner team’s growth is evidenced by the start of a Junior Legion team this summer.

Zone 3’s growth probably won’t allow Smith-Tobey or Brunswick, who draw from the same general geographical area, to compete for a spot in the upper division this season. Dixfield is the true expansion team in the mix. Swasey-Torrey Post will try to build for the future, as some of its potential players were permitted by a grandfather clause to stay with their previous team in Rumford.

– Kalle Oakes