TORRINGTON – Next summer will see the return of a Single A Legion baseball team in Torrington, after there was no older team for multiple years, due to lack of numbers.

“To have two teams, it’s a great sign,” Tigers president Kari Brafford said of the increased numbers this year. “We are hoping to continue to build up so we can host regionals or state in Torrington again.”

The 15-and-under Tigers team that has played a mixture of Babe Ruth and Legion C teams over the past couple years, will be mostly be moving to the older division. The core group of players have experienced success over the past three years, finishing runner-up at the State Babe Ruth Tournament in 2016 and snagging the silver at the 15-and-under Legion Tournament this past summer, on top of finishing second two seasons ago.

“That group of boys is committed to staying together,” Brafford said. “It’s really nice to have such a solid core. Their enthusiasm has really helped baseball grow in the community.”

In addition to the former 15-and-under players moving up an age division, Brafford said there seemed to be enough interest from former Little Leaguers who are too old to continue their Little League career. The 15-and-under Torrington team will be populated with players coming from Torrington Little League.

Brafford noted that the continued interest in the community around baseball has helped expand the local numbers to allow two teams. She said what also helps in bringing in Tigers is the team’s efforts to reach out to the local Little Leaguers. This past summer, several Tigers helped umpire the Little League games.

“If we continue to work in conjunction with Little League baseball, we can keep those kids interested in baseball,” she said. “The more we are out there and the more the boys are out there, it’s inspiring. When the younger kids hear how good it’s going (for the Tigers), it’s going to make them want to be a Tiger.”

Andy Brown, who guided the Tigers to a 23-14 record and second-place finish last season, will return to the dugout as the manager of the older Legion team. A coach has yet to be named for the younger team.

With two teams next season, it will lead to a whole lot more baseball next summer. The older Tigers have been put into the eastern conference with Cheyenne, Wheatland, Douglas, Rawlins and Glenrock. The Tigers are also looking to schedule double-headers next year, with both teams competing against the same team on the same day.

“Fans make it a big deal,” Brafford said. “The more people we have in the stands, the more exciting it is and our boys definitely look for that.”

The older Tigers will be looking to peak for the district and state tournament. The East District Tournament is slated for July 26-28 in Wheatland, followed by the state tournament in Casper on Aug. 1-5. Because the younger team is in both Babe Ruth and Legion, it can decide at a later date which state tournament it will head to.

Brafford estimated that 20-25 players would be split between the two teams, with the possibility of some players stepping in on both squads, if necessary. Neither team will have an official count until the official registration day, which is slated for Jan. 4 at the American Legion hall in Torrington at 7 p.m. Brafford said anyone interested in the team or with questions about the program, should attend.

Update: The story has been adjusted to note that the Tigers have finished as state runners-up for the past three years. It was first reported as just the last two seasons.