District 31 American Legion baseball off and running

An early end to the WPIAL baseball playoffs for Westmoreland County teams has allowed the District 31 American Legion season to begin on time for a change.

No county team reached the semifinals this season after two teams, Hempfield and Franklin Regional, were in the 2021 finals.

There are 10 teams competing in District 31 this season with the addition of Homer City but the departure of Kiski Valley and West Hempfield.

“We’re still one of the largest leagues in the state,” District 31 president, Region 7 director and Latrobe coach Jason Bush said. “We’re happy to gain Homer City, and we hope that the interest in the contact can bring back the Indiana County League.

“I also need to see if we can revive some programs within the county. West Hempfield, Irwin, Kiski Valley, Greensburg and Jeannette are prime areas we need to get back.”

Bush said he wishes parents would look into the AAU and travel teams and weigh the high cost to play on those teams and consider having their kids play locally with their friends.

“We still provide a good brand of baseball,” Bush said. “We were entered in a showcase tournament last season, and I didn’t see a college coach or a pro scout at the game.”

Bush said a few Division I college coaches told him they don’t go to tournaments and recruit. They might go to a showcase, but they encourage players to play with their friends in the summer.

One thing that has been consistent in District 31 American Legion baseball over the past few seasons is Bushy Run, Latrobe and Yough have won or been in contention for the league title.

Bushy Run tied for the league title with Latrobe in 2021 with a 17-8 overall record. But things didn’t end as coach Scott Peyman hoped.

The team fell in the semifinals of the playoffs and then dropped a third-place game to Young Township. Bushy Run then was invited to play in the Region 6 tournament, but the team went 0-2 with a depleted roster as a couple players felt the season was over after falling to Young Township.

Latrobe, Yough and Young Township represented District 31 in the Region 7 tournament, but because Region 6 didn’t have enough teams for its tournament, Bushy Run was invited.

Bushy Run is off to a good start to the 2022 season. It is 2-0 in league play and 4-0 overall.

Bushy Run defeated Unity and then had a walk-off 3-2 win against Young Township. Catcher Ian Temple’s two-out, bases-loaded single scored second baseman Eric Biroscak with the winner.

It was a statement win for the young Bushy Run squad, which returned eight players from the 2021 team.

“We’re good,” Peyman said. “We have a lot of young talent. The key is how they develop. They’re going to make some young mistakes, but I’m excited about the future. The next two seasons I expect us to be really good. We’ll be very competitive.”

Latrobe is off to a 2-0 start after defeating Homer City, 9-0, and Yough, 4-2. Young Township is 4-1 after its tough loss to Bushy Run, and Yough is 3-1.

The others teams in the league are: Unity 1-1, Homer City 2-3, Mt. Pleasant 1-2, Derry 0-2, Murrysville 0-2 and Hempfield East 0-3.

“I feel we’ll competitive with all the top teams in the league: Latrobe, Young Township, Yough and Unity,” Peyman said. “We have a lot of players who can play multiple positions. I’m excited to see these players grow.”

Bush is hoping that American Legion baseball remains strong in District 31.