Charleroi will begin Legion play today

CHARLEROI - Ready or not, the Fayette County American Legion Baseball League starts today for Charleroi.

Second-year manager Tom Hartman went to Sunday night's league meeting not expecting to play so soon, but that's what happened.

'Half the teams are ready to play and the other half have high school players in the playoffs,' said Hartman. 'I did not think we'd be playing this week. But we are.'

Charleroi, the defending North Division champions, open at Vets Field today against Waynesburg. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

Hartman has a lot of work to do in a brief amount of time. Not only does he have to get his lineup settled, but he has to get down to the league maximum of 18 players.

'I have 21 kids on the team right now,' said Hartman. 'I have two weeks to get to 18.'

The team is composed of players from the Charleroi, Ringgold and Monessen school districts.

Charleroi players include Trevor Consavage, Derek DiPiazza, Charlie Fritch, Nick Muncie, Jeff Reppert, Dante Russo and Dave Wachinski.

The Ringgold contingent includes Jason Cypher, Geno DeRosa, Eric Givens, Adam Grant, Brody Nichols, Dan O'Rourke, Greg Panseri, Lloyd Price, Mike Sawezyszyn and Steve Walko.

The Monessen players are Chris Evancho, J.D. Krasonic and John Conn. Matt Matko, a Monessen resident who attends Geibel, is also on the team.

Hartman said that in today's opener he will pitch Evancho, a lefthander.

Rounding out the Charleroi lineup today with be DiPiazza behind the plate, Walko on first, Matko or Cypher at second, Consavage on short, Grant on third, Muncie in left, Reppert in center and Price in right.

O'Rourke, one of the top pitchers in the WPIAL this season, is not available today because he has a pre-Major League draft workout.

'O'Rourke may get drafted, so I don't know what his status will be,' said Hartman.

As for the rest of the team, Hartman is encouraged.

'We have a pretty young team. It will take time for me to see what we've got, but I like what I've seen so far,' he said. 'Evancho's a good one. Trevor is tough and I look for Reppert to play a big role on this team. He got hurt for us at the start of last year and didn't play. I expect a lot from him this season.'

After today's opener, Charleroi will travel to Farmington on Thursday.