EASLEY — The host team roster for the 2017 Senior League Baseball World Series was announced Monday, solidifying Easley’s spot in the bracket as South Carolina District 1.
Sixteen players were selected from the four teams vying for positions this year, but old fans of the game may notice something a little different about the players — they’re all from Easley High School.
“The Big League World Series is what we’re all used to down here, and they did it a little different,” said Easley Senior League manager Gregg Powell. “But now we have the Senior League and they run off cities — not districts.”
Powell said previously District 1 was made up four teams: Laurens, Wren, Greenwood-Abbeville and Easley.
“We had a meeting back in late November/December to figure out who was going to do the Senior League,” he said. “Well, Greenwood-Abbeville said no — that they might do it next year but they didn’t have anyplace to play or practice right now. Laurens said they weren’t sure because the world series fell into football season. Wren didn’t even show up to the meeting.”
Easley, Powell said, was the only city that committed.
“Well, we came up with 47 kids and we split up into four teams to get the required number in,” he said. “May 4 we were jumping right in with double headers.”
As a result, the players for the 2017 SCD1 team were all pulled from Easley’s four teams: the Cardinals, Cubs, Giants and Braves.
“With this being the first year for the Senior League I think it worked out for the best,” said Powell. “I don’t know if as many people would show up if the host team — playing here in Easley — is Laurens, you know?”
The SLWS runs June 29 through Aug. 5. SCD1 will play night 1 at 7:30 p.m. against Southwest.
Devyn Bond, 16, LHP, 1B. OF
Cole Cascio, 14, OF, 1B, LHP
Parker Cassell, 15, RHP, OF
Ben Freeman, 14, C, OF, 1B, 3B
Joe Freeman, 15, RHP, C, 1B, 3B
Will James, 16, C, RHP, 1B
Gabe LaPann, 15, C, RHP, OF, 1B
Rett Lister, 16, OF, 1B
Logan Mackey, 15, MIF, 3B, RHP
Stokes O’Shields, 15, 1B, LHP
Brayden Owens, 15, RHP, 1B, 3B, OF
Nick Price, 14, RHP, 2B
Luke Ryals 15, RHP, 1B, C, 3B, OF
Bennett Simon, 15, OF, MIF, 1B, 3B
Banks Starbuck, 15, MIF, 3B
Austin Tanksley, 15, RHP, MIF, 1B
Gregg Powell, Manager
Bobby Youngblood, Coach
Todd Freeman, Coach