American Legion District 22 has returned for what appears to be a bigger and better second season on area ball fields this summer.
Thirteen teams participated in last year’s start-up season. There are 21 teams registered this year, including three in South County.
Two of those teams — the Post 434 Mater Dei Crusaders and the Post 416 Montgomery Harriers — squared off in their respective season openers June 3 at Montgomery High School.
The Harriers won 8-1.
Both the Crusaders and Harriers compete in the Navy Division; the Bonita Vista entry, which emerged victorious in its opener, is lodged in the Marine Division.
Each team’s schedule includes 12 games and runs through mid-July. The top three teams in each division qualify for the playoffs, which will take place at the University of San Diego’s Fowler Park.
The Harriers are off to a 2-0 start after defeating the host La Jolla Vikings, 6-0, last Friday.
The emphasis is on building camaraderie and leadership, according to Harriers coach Manny Hermosillo.
“I’m really enthusiastic about building some team chemistry with these guys,” the veteran coach explained.
Hermosillo, 66, concluded 35 years with the Montgomery High School team in May, ending the season with 699 wins. He ranks as the region’s top active coach in number of wins.
With his grandson Danny Alcala now on the team, he’s announced he’s back for four more years at the helm.
There’s obviously been a lot of memories over the decades.
Two former Aztecs — Oscar Robles and Sergio Mitre — made it to the big leagues. Robles, a 1994 grad, played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres from 2005-07. Mitre, a 1999 grad, played eight seasons from 2003-11 with the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers.
Assistant coach Roberto Carrillo, a 1998 Montgomery grad, played three seasons in the minor leagues after being drafted in the 26th round by the Houston Astros.
He continues to support the Aztec program that helped launch his professional career.
“We practiced here every day,” Carrillo recalled “Coach Hermosillo ran a tight ship. Their infield was solid. The only difference (between high school and the pros) was the velocity of the pitches. I had to make an adjustment to that.”
Hermosillo continues to make history after winning his American Legion debut.
Besides Carrillo, Mater Dei Catholic coach Ed Johnson has been along for the ride as well.
Johnson played on Hermosillo’s inaugural Montgomery team in 1984 and coached against Hermosillo on the occasion on the latter’s 500th career win.
“I was there for his first high school win, his 500th and now his first American Legion win,” Johnson said with a chuckle after the June 3 contest. “I’m used to giving him milestones.”
Both coaches see the American Legion summer season as an opportunity to continue developing continuity in their programs as well as talent.
The Harriers have 20 players on their roster and players switch positions frequently during the game.
“It’s instructional,” Hermosillo said. “This is where we get to see the young guys having fun. It’s all about competition — every game, every inning is a tryout. They want to practice; they want to improve. They want to hit the weights to get stronger.”
“It’s a good outlet for the upcoming players,” noted Johnson, who won five CIF titles at Marian Catholic. “It’s a chance to play against varsity competition on varsity fields with varsity coaching connections. Sometimes that can be lost in club ball.
“At the beginning of this year, we’re still putting it together due to graduation and people coming back from vacation. It’s primarily our school team. We have a good idea of who we have coming back.”
The Patrick Henry Trojans won last year’s District 22 championship and went on to finish third at the state playoffs held in Northern California.
“Sheldon (Watkins) had struggled for multiple seasons over at Patrick Henry and I think winning the American Legion title help jump-start them to a good season this spring,” Johnson said. “Playing in American Legion was a good thing.”
The numbers don’t lie.
The Patriots finished 23-8-1 with a City League championship and a semifinal appearance in the Division III playoffs.
Who will be next?
Play ball
Bryan Ortiz, Knox Padilla and Alcala each had two RBI in last Friday’s win over La Jolla.
Adrian Herrera and Eric Corral both had two RBI in the season opening win over the Crusaders.
San Diego District 22 American Legion Scoreboard
Thursday, May 30
La Jolla Country Day 3, La Jolla 0
Saturday, June 1
La Jolla Country Day 13, Ramona 7
Monday, June 3
Patrick Henry 10, Scripps Ranch 3
San Pasqual 9, Mount Miguel 7
La Jolla Country Day 6, Granite Hills 3
Mission Bay 10, University City 3
Montgomery 8, Mater Dei 1
West Hills 10, Coronado 0
Monte Vista 5, Ramona 1
Friday, June 7
Clairemont 15, Coronado 2
San Marcos 7, Monte Vista 0
Scripps Ranch 7, Mount Miguel 0
Patrick Henry 4, Santana 0
Ramona 7, Mira Mesa 6
Montgomery 6, La Jolla 0
University City 8, Hoover 3
Granite Hills 14, Mission Bay 3
Wednesday, June 12
La Jolla Country Day 7, La Jolla 2
Bonita 9, San Pasqual 1
Mount Miguel 0, Coronado 0
Thursday, June 13
Clairemont 3, La Jolla 2
League schedule and scores:
https://www.ald22baseball.org/copy-of-schedules
