A whole new ballgame: Utah summer leagues have evolved

"It's kind of too bad for Legion, but I think this is preparing us better," Jones said. "Legion used to be big and it was fun. People would play for their own high schools, but now I think this prepares you better. I'm having a good time."

What's ahead

Current trends in summer baseball will likely continue in the future. The elite athletes will play on scout teams, and programs will keep fluctuating between the Academy's league and American Legion.

People will talk about the level of play in Legion, but some of the state's top programs such as Taylorsville, Murray and Cyprus remain in the organization. There are also solid teams up north such as Smithfield and Blacksmith Fork. The state's 4A champion, Mountain Crest, is a loyal American Legion team. Plus, Legion offers a draw that's tough for other summer programs to match — an all-expensed-paid trip to the Western Regionals for winning the state championship.

"Overall, we're doing all right," Wells said. "I feel pretty good about it. Legion baseball is not going to die."

Most of the teams in the Academy's league seem content with how things are going as well. Their players are developing in the various divisions, and their graduated players participate in the Academy's collegiate league.

Perhaps the biggest factor moving forward is finding a way to keeping the competition balanced and strong. The elite players need to be in challenging situations to continue improving. Organizations are moving in that direction with the Marshalls, Bucks, Highlanders and Stars. Some people would like to see a Connie Mack-style league where the best play the best all summer.

"The problem is the leagues here are just watered down," said Kellen Carsey, who coaches the Utah Bucks and has worked in various coaching positions in high school baseball and summer leagues. "Leagues here are just not competitive enough anymore. You almost have to bring teams in (from out of state to play). You need more teams like the Marshalls and Bucks, and you could have a good Connie Mack league."

Although their philosophies and methods are different, representatives from the summer baseball leagues seem to have the same goal in mind — helping younger baseball players in the state get better. Legion ball will continue to have the most important state tournament because of the payoff involved, while the scout teams and Academy league clubs will develop their own players.

"There are still good teams and good players," Shepherd said. "The landscape of it all has just changed."

E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com