The 2004 American Legion baseball season starts today, a few days late but no worse for the delay as Zone 1 will once again feature two, five-team divisions and a full 22-game schedule.

After Houlton folded its team late last season, officials wondered whether that would leave Aroostook County players in the lurch, but the void has been filled by a new team based in Presque Isle.

“We struggle at times to get full rosters, and maybe that takes away from it somewhat, but the overall trend of our zone and Legion ball in general is upward in terms of participation and competition,” said Zone 1 commissioner David Paul. “I haven’t seen all the names so far, but it seems to me most everybody has a full roster with some very good coaches.”

Not to mention the positive aspects playing Legion ball carries in terms of giving kids solid experience and skills improvement. Many high school coaches credit summer Legion ball experience for both the improvement of their players and programs over the years.

Former University of Maine-Presque Isle baseball coach and Old Town-Orono Legion player Leo Saucier will coach the Presque Isle team. The Stearns of Millinocket graduate has 17 players and should be able to offset his geographic disadvantage in terms of travel with a geographic advantage gained by having a very large drawing area for players: all of Aroostook County and north into Canada.

Presque Isle joins Lincoln, Calais, Orono and Bangor in the North Division while Trenton, Waldo, Hampden, Brewer and Penquis are in the South.

Each team plays a total of 12 games in their own division (three games each) and 10 games outside with two games against each team in the other division. The Zone 1 tournament will take place at Mansfield July 29-Aug. 1 with the state tournament going on in Augusta Aug. 4-9.

The regular season starts off with five doubleheaders Saturday. Games will be played Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays with doubleheaders on most Saturdays.

Bangor, Trenton and traditional power Brewer again shape up as the teams to beat along with Penquis and Calais, which made its first state tourney appearance ever last year.