Marblehead and Swampscott Legion Baseball to Merge

At the suggestion of District 8 Legion Baseball, Swampscott and Marblehead Legion teams will merge to form one senior 19-and-under team, and one junior 17-and-under team.

The league has asked several teams to merge to make the league more competitive.

Lynn’s Legion teams have also merged for this season. League officials would like to try and get more college scouts attending league games.

"I feel that combining the Swampscott and Marblehead teams could be a plus for both programs," said Legion Coach Tim Cassidy.

In the past, he said, both programs have struggled to get kids committed to playing summer baseball.

Now they will have the opportunity to take the best 36 kids from both towns and hopefully put forth much stronger, more competitive junior and senior teams, the coach said.

In addition, Cassidy and Barry Grossman of Marblehead feel it will be great for the Swampscott and Marblehead kids to interact more and build constructive friendships.

They can still do battle during their high school seasons, but once the summer comes they will be one team.

Home games will be played in Swampscott and Marblehead. Tryouts will take place in May at a date and location to be announced.

The teams will be coached by Tim Cassidy, Jim Toomey, Frank James, Jeff Martin, Gino Cresta, Bob Serino, John Corcoran,  Nick Bondola.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the team can contact any coach listed above. Both teams will play a 20- to 25-game schedule against local schools.

The Legion season starts in early June after the high school season is over and ends during the first week of August.

Anyone with questions please contact Barry Grossman atBarry.Grossman@comcast.net  or Tim Cassidy at Ctbone098@aol.com