More Than a Scrimmage: Bennington Legion Teams Build Bonds Leading Into Postseason

4–6 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A baseball player in a black uniform crouches to catch a rolling baseball on a field during a game.

With several days between games last week, the Bennington Legion Post 266 baseball program had a choice: hold another routine practice or find a way to keep players sharp while bringing the entire program together.

The coaches chose the latter.

Instead of splitting into their usual juniors and seniors squads, players from both teams were mixed together for a competitive scrimmage that emphasized teamwork, confidence and fun just as much as baseball. The afternoon featured live pitching to help players stay in rhythm, but it also included creative challenges each inning that kept both dugouts energized.

Teams earned advantages by completing objectives such as getting into defensive position the fastest or spending the least amount of time on defense. Success in those challenges came with rewards, including beginning the next inning with a runner already on base. To raise the stakes even further, the winning team earned food service from the losing team.

A baseball catcher in protective gear is crouching ready to receive a pitch, while a batter prepares to swing. In the background, team members are watching from the dugout.

For seniors head coach Collin McClain, the event started as a practical solution to a break in the schedule before evolving into something much bigger.

“We went a few days without a game, so we wanted to stay in a rhythm seeing live pitching. Then we thought it would be fun to get both levels together and watch them compete against one another,” McClain said.

While the scrimmage provided valuable live at-bats, it also offered a rare opportunity for players who are typically separated by roster level to share the field as teammates. McClain said the experience reinforced something the coaching staff tries to emphasize throughout the summer: regardless of which roster they’re on, everyone represents one program.

“It was good to see the seniors and other upperclassmen compete with the underclassmen. Even though in the summer we are on separate teams, we are one program. Going into next year they will all be on the same team, so seeing them compete together was fun!” he said.

A baseball player in a white uniform diving to catch a ball on the infield, with the sun setting in the background.

That opportunity wasn’t lost on juniors head coach Caden Prendergast, who viewed the scrimmage as an important glimpse into the future for his players. Beyond measuring themselves against one of the state’s top senior Legion teams, the younger players experienced firsthand the speed and precision they’ll be expected to handle at the next level.

He said the afternoon gave the juniors a sense of how much they had progressed throughout the season while also showing them the pace of varsity-level baseball. Seeing that higher level of play, he said, helps prepare them for the transition they’ll eventually make.

The event also highlighted the standard established by the seniors. Prendergast said the older players have shown the juniors that talent alone isn’t enough, that earning a spot requires consistent work and commitment.

A baseball player swings at a pitch during a game, captured in mid-action. Teammates are seated in the dugout in the background.

McClain echoed that lesson, noting that several current seniors weren’t varsity starters until late in their high school careers.

“I think it’s just learning to compete. Baseball is a game of failure, and sometimes you don’t know when your opportunities are going to come. Some of these seniors weren’t varsity starters until their senior year, so it can be a challenge to work while you wait,” he said.

The relaxed atmosphere also seemed to bring out the best in many players. Without the pressure that comes with regular-season games, coaches noticed players competing freely and confidently.

Prendergast said his juniors embraced the challenge rather than being intimidated by the seniors’ pitching staff.

A young baseball pitcher in a blue and black uniform throws a pitch from the mound during a game.

“I think as a team we looked very confident in the scrimmage. Despite knowing that we would face very good talent, which is the seniors pitching staff, we definitely embraced the challenge and went right after it. Our hitters looked prepared and enjoyed the challenge,” he said.

McClain believes that mentality is something players should carry into meaningful games.

“When the pressure is off, guys can sometimes perform better. So it’s trying to get them to believe in themselves to perform like that no matter the situation. At the end of the day, baseball is a game. You have to have fun while doing it, or it can be mentally draining,” McClain said. “I am super excited for the future of Bennington Baseball, and today showed why.”

A baseball player in a white uniform with the number 17 is making a play at first base, while a sliding player in a black uniform attempts to avoid being tagged out.

As the competition unfolded, the dugouts were just as entertaining as the action on the field. Friendly trash talk between teammates, coaches and mixed-age lineups created an atmosphere that was noticeably different from a typical practice or game.

McClain recalled the personalities on display, saying there was “definitely some funny banter going on between coaches and players.”

For Prendergast, the interactions away from the field were among the day’s biggest successes. Watching juniors and seniors laugh together, share a dugout and build relationships reinforced the sense of community within the program. He said seeing the seniors naturally step into leadership roles demonstrated their growth both as players and as young men.

Those relationships, both coaches agreed, are part of what makes the program successful.

Two young baseball players in black uniforms with blue accents celebrate a play with a fist bump on the field.

“Any time we can bring all levels together, the better we will be as a program,” McClain said. “They get to learn how to compete together, and it helps build a competitive culture.”

With postseason play beginning this week, Prendergast hopes the confidence displayed during the scrimmage carries into meaningful games. Facing some of the top pitchers in the program, he said, should remind the juniors that they are capable of competing with anyone if they approach each game with the right mindset.

By the end of the afternoon, the scoreboard mattered far less than the experience itself. The scrimmage served as a reminder that while wins and losses define a season, the relationships built between players often define a program.

It’s a tradition both coaching staffs hope will continue for years to come.

A baseball player swings at a pitch while a catcher crouches in the foreground, with teammates visible in the background.
A young baseball player in a blue helmet and white uniform swings at a pitch during a game, with teammates visible in the background.
A baseball player in a black and blue uniform stands in the outfield at Lynn R. Pruess Field, preparing to catch a ball, with a scoreboard displaying 0-0 in the background.
A player in a black uniform swings a blue baseball bat at a pitch on a baseball field.
A baseball player in a blue helmet and black uniform running toward first base on a grassy field, with another player preparing to field the ball in the background.
A baseball player swings a bat at home plate during a game, with another player in a catcher's gear behind him.
A baseball player in a black uniform and blue helmet is preparing to hit a ball during a game, with a catcher in blue gear behind him and a dugout visible in the background.
A baseball player in a white and blue uniform, wearing a helmet, jogging along the base path on a diamond with green grass and a yellow outfield fence in the background.
A baseball player swings at a pitch while a catcher prepares to receive the ball. In the background, teammates watch from the dugout.
A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat on the field while teammates observe from the dugout in the background.
A baseball player in a white and blue uniform stands ready to bat, with a baseball approaching from the left side of the image. The player is focused and in a batting stance. In the background, other players are visible sitting on a bench.
A baseball pitcher throwing a ball on a field, wearing a black jersey and cap, with a focused expression.
A young male baseball player is running on a field, preparing to field a ground ball near second base.
A baseball player in a black uniform throws the ball while standing on the infield, with another player positioned in the background. The scene is set on a baseball field with advertisements visible along the outfield fence.
A baseball player in a blue uniform is sliding towards a base while a player in a black uniform attempts to tag him out during a game.
A baseball player swinging a bat to hit a pitch on a sandy field, with teammates in the background watching from the dugout.
A baseball player in a black uniform swings a pink bat while batting at home plate, with teammates in the background.
A young baseball player in a black jersey swings a bat at a pitched ball, with spectators in the background at a baseball field.
Baseball player in white uniform throwing a ball from the infield during a game.
A young baseball player running on the field, wearing a black uniform and blue helmet, with a focus on their dynamic movement as they approach home plate.
A young baseball player swinging a bat at home plate during a game, with a grassy field and dugout in the background.
A baseball player in a white uniform throws the ball towards a teammate while another player in a black uniform runs towards first base.
A young baseball player in a black uniform swings at a baseball during a game, with a catcher in blue gear ready to catch the pitch.
A baseball player in a black uniform is pitching on a sunny field, with trees and advertisements in the background.
A young baseball player in a blue helmet and jersey runs towards first base on a baseball field, with advertisements and greenery in the background.
A young baseball player in a black uniform with the number 12, celebrating on the field after a play. The background shows a scoreboard with game details.
A baseball player in a white uniform is swinging a bat to hit a pitched ball during a game, with teammates in the dugout in the background.
A baseball player in a light blue uniform swings a bat at a pitch during a game, with teammates sitting in the dugout in the background.
A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat during a game, with teammates in the dugout watching in the background.
A baseball player in a blue helmet and white uniform is swinging a bat in a game setting, with teammates and coaches visible in the background.
A baseball player wearing a black jersey and cap fields a ball on a grassy field in front of a scoreboard at Prueess Field.
Two young baseball players on a field; one is catching a fly ball, while the other is positioned nearby, ready to assist.
A baseball player in a black uniform prepares to swing a bat at a pitched ball during a game, with a catcher in blue gear behind him.
A baseball player in black uniform swings a bat during a game, with teammates in the background watching from the dugout.
A baseball player swinging a bat during a game, with teammates in the background watching from the dugout.
Three young baseball players on the field during a game, with the outfield fence and advertisements in the background.
A young male baseball player in a black uniform throws a baseball while standing on the infield of a baseball diamond during a sunny evening.
A baseball pitcher throwing a pitch on a field during a game, with trees and a scoreboard in the background.
A youth baseball player swings a bat at a pitched ball during a game, with players in the dugout visible in the background.
A youth baseball player in a black jersey numbered 16, running on a baseball field with a focused expression.
A young baseball player stands on the field, holding a baseball and a glove, wearing a black and blue uniform with the name 'Bennington' on it.
A baseball catcher in a blue uniform crouches to catch a pitch, with a player running towards home plate in the foreground and teammates in the background.
A baseball player in a black uniform catches a fly ball during a game, with a yellow outfield fence and a banner in the background.
Two baseball players in white uniforms congratulate each other on the field, with one player wearing the number 7 and another wearing number 17. A catcher in blue gear is visible in the foreground.
A baseball player wearing a blue helmet and a white jersey with the number 7 swings at a ball during a game, while a catcher crouches behind home plate.
A baseball player in a white uniform with blue accents runs on the field during a game, showing signs of dirt on his pants as he heads towards the base.
A baseball player in a black uniform throwing a ball while standing on the infield during a sunset.
A baseball player dives into a base while a second player stands nearby, watching. Dust rises from the field.
A baseball player in a black uniform swings at a pitch during a game, with spectators visible in the background.
A young baseball player swings at a pitch during a game, with teammates visible in the background.
A young baseball player in a white uniform fielding a ball on a grassy baseball diamond, with advertising banners in the background.
A young baseball pitcher in mid-throw on the pitcher's mound, wearing a blue cap and jersey, with a baseball field and advertisements in the background.
A baseball pitcher in a white uniform throws a pitch on the field, with a blurred ball in motion.
A baseball player swings at a pitch while a catcher prepares to catch the ball behind home plate, with teammates in the dugout in the background.
A baseball catcher crouches in position, wearing protective gear, while reaching for a pitch. In the background, players are seated on benches, observing the game.

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