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Revamped Lewis & Clark Baseball League Swings Back Into Action Saturday
[May 27, 2015]

Revamped Lewis & Clark Baseball League Swings Back Into Action Saturday


The Lewis & Clark Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball program, opens its third season this Saturday, May 30.

Opening Day will commence at 1 p.m. with a Lewis Conference revenge match up between last year's runner-up, Lemay Governors, and the O'Fallon Travelers at Principia College Field in Elsah, Ill. Several other games will be played throughout the day across the St. Louis bi-state area, from St. Charles County to the Metro East. One new player in particular is in position to make St. Louis more than just his home for the summer.

Riley Groves, of Louisville, Ohio, is a starting pitcher at Washington & Jefferson College, a NCAA Division III team in Washington, Pa. He is a rising junior, majoring in neuroscience and minoring in psychology and Spanish. Groves came to the league after searching for a program that offered him a chance to play competitive ball while getting pre-med, resume-worthy experience. With the Lewis & Clark Baseball League he found the "and," not the "or." Accepted into a lauded Washington University neuroscience internship, he moved into his dorm yesterday.

"Unlike other summer collegiate leagues, here I have the opportunity to pursue both aspects of my college experience," said Groves, who will pitch for the Forest Park Pathfinders. "I didn't want to have to choose between a chance to enhance my post-collegiate career or the ability to sharpen my game. Now, I am at one of the top-ten medical schools in the country and I'll be pitching against very strong competition in the league. It's the best of both worlds."



"Our weekend-only conference provides off-the-field opportunities for student-athletes to attend school and pursue internships or professional work, while continuing to improve in the game they love," said Ross Clites, Lewis & Clark Baseball League President.

"Though they likely will not make a living playing professional baseball, college athletes should not have to give up baseball in lieu of work experience," Clites said. "Play the game at the highest, most-competitive level you can, but understand the need for an academic foundation for when it goes away. Our goal is for student-athletes to reach their sports pinnacle in tandem with a summer spent building a resume."


Eight teams, split in two divisions, will battle for the Corps of Discovery Cup through 34 regular-season games and a late-July playoff series. In short time, the league has garnered national appeal. To date, the Lewis & Clark Baseball league has coached players from 35 states and 142 colleges and universities.

"Our league draws talent from coast-to-coast," Clites said. "We are lucky and thankful that this baseball town has an abundance of top-notch facilities across the metro area. Our hope is to cultivate a connective atmosphere so more collegiate athletes find success in St. Louis and ultimately choose to stay. It makes for a win-win for the community and we invite everyone to come out to support these ballplayers."

On Friday, June 5 the reigning champion Elsah Voyagers will return to the site of their 2014 Discovery Cup victory, Principia College Field. To get back to the title game, the Voyagers will have to emerge from the competitive Lewis Conference. The Travelers, Governors and Groves' Pathfinders should each be in contention come August.

The conference is rounded out by the Alton Pioneers, St. Charles Captains, St. Louis Gamers and Midtown Explorers. Other field locations include: Hopkins Field at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Ill.; Boeing (News - Alert) Aviation Field at Forest Park in St. Louis; Lou Brock Sports Complex at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.; Stars Park at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis; Colts Field at Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, Mo.; and T.R. Hughes (News - Alert) Ballpark in O'Fallon, Mo.

For a full summer schedule and scores, visit www.lcbl.org/scores.

About Lewis and Clark Baseball League

Lewis & Clark Baseball League is the charter member of a larger organization, LXGMEN, which is a nationwide collection of summer collegiate baseball leagues. The Lewis & Clark Baseball League's goal is to put the focus of a collegiate summer baseball back on instruction while providing a launching pad for careers, in various disciplines, including baseball. For more information and games schedules, visit www.lcbl.org.


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