When it comes to American Legion baseball this summer, the only area program playing is Bristol Post 2.
With the folding of programs in recent seasons, Waterbury/Wolcott among them, there are fewer options. Bristol held tryouts late last month and early this month for 19U and 17U players, not just those residing in Bristol, but also Terryville (Plymouth), Thomaston, Waterbury and Wolcott.
There are just five zones in Legion 19U baseball, less than the six that existed in 2019, and the eight from years past. The 2020 American Legion season didn’t happen in regular form because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the CT Elite Baseball Association was created to allow non-Legion games to be sanctioned.
Bristol is in Zone 1, along with Avon, Berlin, Meriden, Naugatuck, Newington, Simsbury and West Hartford. Bristol lost to West Hartford, 4-3, in its season opener this past Tuesday at Hall High School. Albert Molina of Terryville started and pitched the first six innings. He allowed three runs on six hits. Molina struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Alexander Canzellarini of Bristol Eastern took the loss in relief. He threw a third of an inning and gave up a run on two hits.
Bristol’s next game is Tuesday at Avon at 5:30 p.m. at Buckingham Field in Avon. Bristol plays Meriden on Thursday at 5:45 p.m. at Legion Field in Meriden. Bristol’s home opener is against Naugatuck on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Muzzy Field.
17U: Bristol opened the season with a doubleheader Sunday against West Hartford at Riley Field. Bristol lost both games, 6-1 and 10-0.
In the first game, Jaydon Churchill of Bristol Eastern started and Elliot Norris of Eastern came on in relief. Bristol scored a run in its first inning of the season but couldn’t get anything else going.
In the second game, Michael Allan of Bristol Central, Cole Latko of Bristol Eastern and Michael Roalf of Eastern took the mound.
Bristol 17U’s next game is Wednesday at Torrington at 5 p.m. at Fuessenich Park in Torrington.
