Legion baseball sets summer schedule; big roster expected

    After a late start and shortened 2020 season with several COVID-19 restrictions, Imperial’s Legion baseball program won’t have to face any of that this year.
    Legion Coach Bruce Peterson said there have been no COVID-related restrictions announced by Nebraska Legion officials for this summer.
    That’s good news, and means a lot more games for Imperial in 2021. Last year, several teams on Imperial’s schedule didn’t even field a team, or cut back on their games.
    Nebraska Legion did not host district or state tournaments last year.
    Imperial’s season kicks off Sunday, May 23, with a home double-header (JV) with Ogallala. Opener for the juniors and seniors is set for May 29 in Cozad.
    Coach Bruce Peterson said the teams had their first practice last Thursday, and numbers look good.
    “I’m expecting the most players on our roster than we’ve had in years,” he said.
    All true-senior age players from last year’s team are back, and with those who’ve aged out of juniors and are on the senior roster now, he has nine senior players at this point. Three of them are college students who remain age-eligible, he said.
    Another 18 junior age players are anticipated, several of whom will be double-rostered and play “up” in the senior games, he added.
    Peterson expects to finalize the rosters this week.
    Besides Imperial, players from Benkelman (3) and Perkins County (2-3) will be on the roster, he said.
    Peterson said with that many on the junior roster, nine of whom are first-year Legion players, he was able to schedule four double-headers which are listed as “JV” games on the schedule.
    He has already arranged four JV double-headers with Sidney and Ogallala, and hopes to add more.

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