Published August 2, 2019
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
SAUGUS — The Saugus Post 210 American Legion (ages 19 and under) baseball team, which features seven players from Melrose, ended its season a couple of weeks ago as they lost 4-2 at Newburyport on July 15.
They ended up coming in last place in District 8 with a final record of 1-13.
“We didn’t have enough kids in the right positions when I selected the team,” admitted Saugus manager Matt Callahan.
Although it was a tough summer for the squad, Callahan was pleased with the seven Melrose players on the roster.
“They were very consistent and committed players,” said Callahan, who just completed his second season at the helm.
The seven players from Melrose were Harry Kelley (pitcher), Will Dolaher (pitcher), Matt Morrissey (second base), Cam Gorman (left field), Brian Pelrine (pitcher), Matt McDonough (center field) and Christian Carrieri (catcher).
“Kelley will be playing at Bentley and Dolaher played at Keene State,” pointed out Callahan. “The others were on the Melrose varsity team.”
They are all eligible to play next season and Callahan is hoping that they will all return next summer.
Callahan would like the role of the team to involve Melrose more.
“I am looking forward to talking with the Melrose High coaches,” he said. “I would also like to get the American Legion of Melrose involved and be able to call the team the Saugus-Melrose team.”
Another thing he would like to see is for the team to split their home schedule between World Series Park in Saugus and Morelli Field.
“They did a nice job when they renovated Morelli a few years ago and it would be a great place for us to play,” said Callahan.
In towns that don’t have an American Legion team of their own, they are allowed to play for the closest town that has a team and that is why the Melrose players play for Saugus.
