Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
A group of people is undertaking the formation of the first American Legion baseball team in Quay County in 40 years.
Anthony Kent, who said he one of the region’s last Legion players as a sophomore in 1984, will be one of the coaches for the newly formed American Legion Post 20 squad.
Kent said the local team will be called the Rebels — the same nickname as four decades ago.
He said they have signed up 10 players so far and need a few more.
Players age 13 to 19 who reside in Quay County are eligible. In addition to players from Tucumcari, Kent said the team includes players from Logan, San Jon, Grady and the Santa Rosa areas.
“It was a lot of fun,” Kent said of his Legion playing days, primarily as an outfielder. “It’s a way to get the kids off the streets.”
Gilbert Pacheco, another alum of the 1984 Legion team, and current Tucumcari High School baseball coach George Montano also will help coach the Rebels.
The re-formation of an American Legion baseball team in the region came from the reactivation of American Legion Post 20’s charter last year after it went inactive in the 1990s. Post 20 is headquartered in the former Hardee’s building in Tucumcari.
Kent said prospective players should sign up by June 15, though the Rebels will play their first game on June 4 against Las Lunas.
Players interested in joining the team should call Kent at (575) 518-5770.
The Rebels will play opponents from Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Grande, Hobbs, Eldorado, Atrisco and others in a 20-game schedule and two tournaments. Most games will be played during Tuesday and Wednesday doubleheaders.
The Legion team will be on the road this season. Tucumcari Public Schools is keeping games off its new baseball field this summer in an effort to get its sod better established. For now, most of the Rebels’ games will be played in Albuquerque.