NEW LOOK FOR LEGION

Eighteen teams will begin play in North Carolina American Legion Area IV baseball can start later this week.

That includes three teams from Gaston County, one in Cleveland County and one in Lincoln County.

The biggest development is in Cleveland County, as Shelby Post 82 and Kings Mountain Post 155 have combined efforts to form Cleveland County Post 82-155. Kings Mountain's players will still be split between Cleveland County and Gastonia Post 23.

Cleveland County is the defending Area IV champion and are coming off a 31-4 season in which it also finished as the state runner-up.

Cleveland County will be coached by veteran Legion coach Mike Grayson, who begins his 29th season with 618 career victories.

Post 82-155 remains in the Eastern Division of Area IV along with local teams Gastonia Post 23, Gaston Braves Post 144-266 and Lincoln County Post 455. Other teams in the division are Huntersville, Maiden, Mint Hill, Pineville and Union County.

Cherryville Post 100, guided by N.C. Legion all-time coaching winner Bobby Reynolds (782 victories) will remain in the Western Division with Asheville, Burke County, Burnsville, Caldwell County, Henderson County, Hickory, Rutherford County and Taylorsville.

After the regular season ends, Area IV playoffs pairings will be determined on July 1 and an area champion will be decided by July 22.

The 2019 Legion state tournament will be held July 26-30 at Cherryville's Fraley Field. That winner will advance to the Aug. 7-11 regionals in Asheboro. The regional winner advances to the Legion World Series, to be held Aug. 15-20 in Shelby.

Richard Walker: 704-869-1843; twitter.com/jrwalk22