A league of their own

MOUNT VERNON — Attention all 16-18 year olds: There is a new league in town. Mount Vernon native Phil Gallogly decided that the 16-18 year-old age group needed a chance to play summer ball — not everyone can travel with an American Legion team. His solution, start up a Knox County 16-18 year-old league.

“Last year I helped out with the fall league,” said Gallogly. “Not everyone can play for the American Legion team. I thought, ‘I see the need,’ so I was going to try and get something started.”

Gallogly started to put his plan into action by approaching local businesses and asking if they would be willing to sponsor a team. He found three that were willing; Parkside Restaurant, Biggs Insurance and A+ Autobrokers.

“They were willing to sign on for the first year,” said Gallogly. “They have helped us be able to have this league.”

Gallogly hopes to gain more support as the years progress and word gets out about the league. Despite 16-18 year old leagues failing in the past, Gallogly has high hopes for this league. It already has three teams, and teens show up every night to see if they can play.

“It’s not officially sanctioned by Babe Ruth yet, it takes four teams to be sanctioned.” Gallogly said. “Hopefully by next year we will have enough teams together to be a Babe Ruth Senior League. I hope to have at least five to six teams by next year and grow from there. Hopefully it will become a successful addition to Mount Vernon baseball.”

The Knox County 16-18-year old league is well on its way to becoming sanctioned by Babe Ruth. As it would only take one more team to become official, spreading the word becomes vital. 15-year-old players are already watching the games, and have expressed interest in playing next year.

Mount Vernon High School baseball player Cody Hogle is one of the players who comes out and enjoys the opportunity. Hogle, a junior this upcoming school year, rarely misses an opportunity to come out and play ball.

“Everyone here is getting better,” said Hogle. “This helps us shake off the rust from not playing for a while. I am playing to have fun out here. The competition helps, too. It is great to get other people out there to play against during the summer.”

The competition is there. There are players from the Mount Vernon High School team, the Centerburg High School baseball team, the Fredericktown High School baseball team and the East Knox Baseball team.

“Hopefully this will help our area high schools out,” said Gallogly. “The improvement is important. That’s what this is about, helping kids improve their game, and giving them a chance to play baseball during the summer.”

That is not the only competition however. Many teens who just love the game of baseball are showing up. The league is open to all players and anyone can come out to give it a try; the league is willing to let everyone get their shot. Anyone from the surrounding area can come. The league hires umpires to call the game and an announcer for every game. The fans show up, and more and more players show up every night.

“If we didn’t start it, we’d have a bunch of kids who love baseball wishing they had something to do, wishing they could play baseball.” said Gallogly.

What better way for a high school baseball player or someone who has always wanted to play in a more relaxed atmosphere to head out to the ball field and get a good and friendly yet competitive, game going. The organization is done for them. All they have to do is show up ready to have a good time playing the game of summer, America’s pastime, baseball.