Written by: Aaron Goschke

The Maine American Legion Baseball 2026 season will feature a wide range of teams across the Senior and Junior divisions, from established programs to new and developing groups.

Programs across the state will rely on experienced coaching staffs, college-bound players, local post support and rising underclassmen as they prepare for another summer of baseball. Each team enters the season with its own goals, but the focus remains the same: compete hard, represent their communities well and carry on the tradition of American Legion Baseball.

Bangor Comrades Aim to Build on Strong Finish

The Bangor Comrades bring back a strong core, improved depth, and momentum from a gritty finish last summer.

Isaac Bushway takes over as head coach in his second season with the organization and first year leading the program. He is joined by Gavin Young, Keegan Cyr, and Jackson Anderson. The Comrades will once again call Mansfield Stadium home.

Bangor has a proud Legion tradition, with several alumni continuing their careers beyond the program. Matt Holmes is entering his fourth year of college baseball after three strong seasons at Husson University, Yates Emerson returns for another college season, Justin Courtney continues to pitch professionally, and Trevor Delaite is now on the University of Maine coaching staff.

The Comrades finished 8-11 last season with a young roster. After dropping their first four games, Bangor found its footing, came together as the summer progressed, and made a playoff push before pitching depth became a challenge.

This year’s group returns several key pieces while adding a large senior class from Bangor High School. With a deeper pitching staff and an offense capable of producing, the Comrades believe they have the tools to compete.

Kyle Johnson, Gavin Glanville-True, and Blake Littlefield headline the players to watch. Johnson will attend Russell Sage College after contributing at multiple positions for Bangor High School. Glanville-True, a Husson commit, brings speed, defense, and offensive production to the outfield. Littlefield returns after pitching for Husson and gives Bangor another arm capable of impacting important games.

The coaching staff is young, but deeply connected to the program. Bushway, Young, Cyr, and Anderson all played at least four years of American Legion Baseball for Bangor under longtime head coach David Morris. Now, they hope to carry that tradition forward while helping players develop through sacrifice, discipline, leadership, grit, and commitment.

Boothbay 36ers Building Around Returning Core

The Boothbay 36ers come into the summer with a strong mix of returning talent, new additions, and young players looking to earn larger roles.

Adam Harkins returns for his fourth season with the organization and will lead the program alongside John Splaine, Adam Climo, Bowen Brann, and Finn Harkins. Boothbay will play its home games at Sherman Field at Boothbay Region High School.

Though still a relatively young organization, the 36ers have quickly developed into a respected program in the Mid Coast region. Several former players have continued their careers beyond Legion baseball, including Sam Markowitz and Kaleb Hussey at the University of Maine at Farmington, Blake Grady at Saint Joseph’s College, and Jacob Watkinson and Alex Bartlett at Southern Maine Community College.

Boothbay also remains closely connected with local Post 36 by working with post members, wearing the Legion patch with pride, fundraising, encouraging veterans to attend games, and including the National Anthem before home contests.

The 36ers finished above .500 last season and reached the state tournament. While this summer may include some elements of a rebuild, Boothbay still expects to compete while developing its next wave of players.

Sam Markowitz headlines the group to watch as a left-handed slugger and standout infielder. Liam Jacobs brings a strong contact bat and all-state ability on the mound, Blake Grady adds right-handed power and high-level arm talent, and Oscar Gallant is another young player expected to contribute.

For Boothbay, the season is about competing, developing, and continuing to represent the Legion and the Mid Coast community.

“Nothing is better than a baseball game under the lights with a hot dog,” said Harkins. “Let’s play some ball.”

Capital Area Expands With Three-Team Program

Capital Area Legion Baseball will field one of the deeper programs in the state this summer, with two Senior Legion teams and one Junior Legion team.

At the Senior level, Capital Area will be represented by Capital Area Shuman and Capital Area Barber. The organization will also continue to field a Junior Legion team, giving players throughout the area a clear developmental path.

General Manager David Hayward, entering his seventh season with the organization, helps lead a large coaching staff that includes Thad Barber, Steve Shuman, Royce Watson, Bill Grant, Chip Jones, Miles Greenleaf, Rex Turner, and Mike Karagiannes. Capital Area will play its home games at the CARA fields, including Morton and McGuire on Piggery Road in Augusta.

The program has produced several college players in recent years, including Kyle Douin, Kam Douin, Trent Collin, River Fallos, Davis Kibler, Gage McGrane, and others. Capital Area also remains committed to honoring veterans and is a proud supporter of the Travis Mills Foundation.

This summer brings added depth and a new look. Capital Area Barber will feature one of the younger Senior teams in the league, with most of its roster still Junior eligible. Capital Area Shuman gives the organization another competitive Senior group and more opportunity across the program.

Shuman will feature Trent Collin from Winthrop and SMCC, Max Tibbetts from Cony and YCCC, Grayson Greenleaf from Gardiner, and the Monmouth trio of Logan LeClair, Kyle Lepage, and Noah Schultz.

Barber will be led by Alex Spaulding, Will Watson, and River Fallos from Maranacook, along with Carter Ulmer from Erskine Academy.

With three teams, a growing foundation, and plenty of players looking to prove themselves, Capital Area expects to be competitive every time it takes the field.

Downeast Captains Carry Community Pride Into 2026

The Post 8 Downeast Captains are focused on excellence, sportsmanship, teamwork, and representing the Downeast region with pride.

The Captains are managed by Renée Worcester, who is entering her third season with the organization. The coaching staff includes head coach Rich Olivares, assistant coach Rob Worcester, and coach Jamie Robertson. Downeast will play its home games at Washington Academy in East Machias.

The Captains have several players preparing to continue their careers beyond high school. Colby Moholland is set to play at the University of Maine, Daniel Gardner will continue at Southern Maine Community College, and Miles Worcester will attend the University of Maine at Augusta while also serving in the Air National Guard.

Honoring veterans remains a central part of the Downeast program. The Captains invite local veterans to throw out the first pitch at home games, read each veteran’s bio before the game, and share that recognition on Facebook.

The Downeast roster brings together players from three high school programs. While those players may be rivals during the spring, they come together in the summer through a shared love of baseball and a commitment to growing the game in the region.

With college-bound players, strong community support, and a clear commitment to honoring veterans, the Post 8 Downeast Captains are ready for another meaningful summer.

Gray Post 86 Warriors Looking to Take Next Step

The Gray Post 86 Warriors open the 2026 Junior Legion season with a larger roster, added experience, and hopes of continuing the program’s growth.

Fred Nevells returns for his second season with the organization and will lead the Warriors alongside Eric Richmond and Paul Larrivee, who are also entering their second seasons. Gray will play its home games at 175 Tuttle Road in Cumberland while its home fields are being worked on.

Gray Post 86 hopes to honor the tradition of American Legion Baseball by inviting veterans to home games and incorporating them into ceremonial first pitches.

Last season, Gray was young but competitive. The Warriors showed growth, built strong chemistry, and held their own despite challenges with age and pitching depth.

This year, Gray returns several older Junior Legion players who will be expected to set the tone. With a healthier pitching rotation and a large group of younger players joining the program, the Warriors hope to be stronger deeper into games and better prepared for the postseason.

Kaiden Chase, Jayden Camp, Jason Nevells, Seth Espling, Cody Osmond, Griff Richmond, and Cole Thibodeau are among the key players to watch. That older group will age out after the season, and Gray will rely heavily on its leadership, experience, and competitiveness.

The program will also recognize Legion liaison Richard Flynn, who will be moving to Florida after the season. Flynn has played an important role in helping grow Legion baseball in Gray over the past several years.

With veteran leadership, a growing young core, and a focus on steady improvement, Gray Post 86 is looking for a memorable summer.

Hammond Lumber Program Loaded With Depth in 2026

The Hammond Lumber program will have a major presence in Maine American Legion Baseball this summer, with the Senior Riverdogs and two Junior teams, Hammond Lumber Riverhawks Gray and Hammond Lumber Riverhawks White, all playing out of Bordick Park in Hampden.

The Senior Riverdogs will be led by Samuel Economy, who is entering his second season as head coach. He is joined by Connor Adams, Garrett McLeod, Collin Peckham, and Greg Lord. The Riverdogs are coming off a 13-4 season and enter 2026 with high expectations.

The Senior roster features returning talent, experienced leadership, and several college-level players. Bodie Bishop returns after his freshman season at the University of Southern Maine, while Andrew Cote and Collin Peckham have continued their careers at Husson University.

The Riverdogs are built around strength up the middle, a deep pitching staff, and a strong group from Hampden Academy. Rogan Lord, Bodie Bishop, Andrew Cote, Kaysen Wildman, Wyatt Allen, Drew McKenney, Noah Kain, Aidan Howard, and Iven Ingraham give the team a long list of impact players.

At the Junior level, Hammond Lumber Riverhawks White will be led by Ryan Lincoln, John Frye, RJ Robertson, and Jaeden Folster. The staff has coached together for five previous Legion seasons, winning three Junior State titles and one Senior State title. Riverhawks White will focus on development while competing nightly, with Layton Shaw, Jack Kowalski, Gaige Farrar, Michael Carroll, and Noah White among the players to watch.

Hammond Lumber Riverhawks Gray enters the summer after finishing as the Junior Legion state runner-up last season. The team will be led by fourth-year coach, Connor Adams entering his first season as head coach, along with Garrett McLeod and Matt Perkins. Kellan Bishop and Kason Shaw from Hampden Academy, along with Travis Jurczyk-Husted from Old Town High School, headline the group.

Across all three teams, Hammond Lumber is focused on developing players who can succeed on the field while growing into responsible leaders and positive contributors in their communities.

Oxford Hills Legion Ready for Debut Season

Oxford Hills Legion enters the 2026 Maine American Legion Baseball season as a first-year program, but the roster brings enough experience and talent to compete right away.

Addam Stack will lead Oxford Hills in his first season with the organization. He is joined by Joe Trybus and BJ Otten on the coaching staff. Oxford Hills will play its home games at the Field of Dreams.

Without a previous Legion season to build from, Oxford Hills will focus on establishing its identity, competing immediately, and creating a foundation for future success.

The goal is to have a fun and competitive summer while seeing how far the team can go. With a deep and experienced roster, Oxford Hills hopes to make a run and be playing at Mansfield Stadium at the end of July.

Cam Pulkkinen, Carter Davis, Carter Holbrook, Tucker Hilden, and Jacoby Turcotte from Oxford Hills, along with Bear Otten from Telstar, are among the players expected to lead the first-year group.

Oxford Hills may be new to the Legion scene, but the message is clear: this team is not just looking to participate. It is looking to make a run.

Post 28 Flyers Enter 2026 Looking to Defend State Title

The Roderick-Crosby Post 28 Flyers carry momentum, confidence, and championship expectations into 2026 after a historic summer in Farmington.

The Senior Flyers are led by Aaron Goschke, who is entering his third season with the organization. He is joined by Jeff Seaberg, Ryan Pratt, and Andrew Pratt on the coaching staff. Post 28 will once again play its home games at Hippach Field.

The program has several players continuing their careers at the college level, including Hayden Dippner and Brody Walsh at Thomas College, along with Ike Wrigley and Hayden Durrell at the University of Maine at Farmington. Post 28 is also continuing to strengthen its connection with Roderick-Crosby Post 28 while honoring veterans in the community, across Maine, and throughout the country.

Last season was a breakthrough year for the Flyers. Post 28 went 16-1 against Maine competition and captured the program’s first Senior Legion state championship, bringing the title back to Farmington for the first time. The Flyers built their success around pitching, defense, aggressive baserunning, and the ability to minimize mistakes. Their championship run ended in dramatic fashion with a walk-off single from Parker Smith, who was called up from Junior Legion for the postseason.

Despite losing Nolan Leso and Gage Decarolis, the Flyers return much of last year’s championship roster and have reloaded with new talent. Oliver Cormier joins the group as a smooth, powerful shortstop with quickness and velocity on the mound after earning underclass all-star and second-team all-conference honors in the KVAC. Jax Vienneau also steps in as a player to watch with a strong bat.

Bryce Wilcox, a Mt. Abram graduate now at Southern Maine Community College, returns as an experienced bat near the top of the order. Logan Dube, also from Mt. Abram, will look to anchor the pitching staff as a strike-throwing, innings-eating ace. Ben Wrigley of Mt. Blue and Kegan Jordan of Mt. Valley give the Flyers two strong options behind the plate.

Trevor Crosby of Dirigo brings leadership and versatility as a true utility player, while Josh Pollis of Mt. Valley, Trent Lovewell of Spruce Mountain, and Parker Smith of Mt. Blue are also expected to play important roles.

Post 28 will also field a Junior Legion team, with Goschke serving as general manager and Kyle Gunzinger returning to coach alongside Mike Brown. Gunzinger brings 11 seasons of experience and returns to the program for the first time since 2021.

The Junior Flyers went 8-9 last season in their first year back since 2022 and won a state tournament game while playing a difficult schedule. With nearly the entire roster returning, Post 28 expects its Junior team to be one of the stronger groups in the state.

Dawson Brown and Brayden Simmons of Mt. Blue both gained varsity pitching experience this spring, while Ty LaPointe of Dirigo hit multiple home runs during his first varsity season. Keegan O’Neil of Rangeley is another young player expected to contribute.

With a defending state champion Senior team and an experienced Junior group on the rise, Post 28 enters 2026 with high expectations across the program.

Skowhegan Junior Riverhawks Begin New Chapter in 2026

The Skowhegan Junior Riverhawks begin the 2026 season with a young roster, an experienced coaching staff, and a new home field.

Skowhegan will field a Junior Legion team only this summer, with General Manager Mickey Hoyt leading the organization. Peter Kirby, Ron Mayo, and Rick York will help guide the team, bringing decades of combined coaching experience to the program.

After spending the last few seasons at Madison Area High School, the Riverhawks will move into Skowhegan’s brand-new facility.

Skowhegan finished 5-12 last season but earned a win in the state tournament, giving the program something to build on despite scheduling challenges around other sports and travel baseball.

This year’s group will be young, but the coaching staff expects the Riverhawks to play with energy, toughness, and a scrappy style. James Frey is expected to help lead the pitching staff, Eli York will be counted on as a hitter and leader, Luke Mayo brings experience behind the plate, and Cody Bedard could add power as he works back to full strength.

With a new facility, veteran leadership, and a developing roster, Skowhegan hopes 2026 marks another step forward.

Trenton Acadians Chasing Next Step After Runner-Up Finish

The Trenton Acadians have championship expectations after finishing as the Senior Legion state runner-up last summer.

Trenton will be led by head coach Adam Sheehan, with Shawn Barry returning for his fifth season coaching in the organization. The Acadians will play their home games at Bucksport High School.

The program has also seen players continue their careers beyond Legion baseball, including Peter Kablinski, who is playing at the University of Southern Maine.

Trenton takes pride in honoring the tradition of American Legion Baseball and the veterans who helped make the game possible. The program works to teach players about the sacrifices veterans have made and the importance of representing those values on and off the field.

Last season, the Acadians made a run all the way to the Maine Senior Legion championship game. This summer, the goal is to keep developing young men, compete at a high level, and contend for the Maine Senior Legion State Championship.

Trent Goss, Logan Crowley, Dawson Curtis, Jackson Barry, and Ryan Winchester are among the key players to watch as Trenton looks to make another deep postseason push.

The program also continues to highlight the strength of Downeast baseball. Two Trenton players from the last four seasons, Collin Sullivan of MDI High School and Jackson Barry of Ellsworth High School, are 2026 Mr. Maine Baseball finalists.

With tradition, postseason experience, and championship ambitions, the Acadians are positioned for another strong summer.

Additional Teams to Watch

Several other programs will also be part of the 2026 Maine American Legion Baseball season.

Other Senior Legion teams include the CM Hurricanes of Waterville, the GSM Senior Riders of Sanford, and Lincoln Lumber of Lincoln.

Other Junior Legion teams include the Trenton Junior Acadians of Trenton and Fairfield PAL of Fairfield.

Check Out GameChanger for up to the minute scoring, team schedules, and standings!!

JR  – https://tinyurl.com/Maine-JR-Legion-Schedule

SR – https://tinyurl.com/Maine-SR-Legion-Schedule 

About the Author

Aaron Goschke is a board member for Maine American Legion Baseball and the head coach and director of the Roderick-Crosby Post 28 Flyers, based in Farmington. A passionate advocate for growing American Legion Baseball in Maine, Goschke is deeply involved in player development and community baseball initiatives. He was also a contributor to the University of Maine at Farmington Athletics website, where he has written numerous features and recaps highlighting collegiate athletes and programs.