High school baseball players already had several summer options -- Palomino ball, American Legion ball, even AAU play.

The WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association has added another, one it is billing as competitive and cost-effective.

That organization has launched the Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League, for high school-age players (18 and under) who are considered to be the best in the region.

Eight teams have been formed and play began Saturday.

The coaches association expects its new league to be top quality, talent-wise, without the travel time and expense required of players on AAU teams, which are quite popular.

WPIAL coaches also are touting WPEBL games as showcases for college coaches and pro scouts, and expect a number of these evaluators to be on hand.

In fact, a "scout day" has been set for July 15 at Falconi Field, outside Washington, the home of the minor-league Wild Things.

Scheduling will be intense -- WPEBL teams will play 21 games each over the next six weeks, with the championship series beginning July 16.

The eight teams, their managers and home fields: Beaver Valley Red Sox (managed by Pat Cutshall, Geneva College); Beaver Valley White Sox (Jory Coughenour, Geneva College); Bulldog Baseball Club (Mike Kosko, Highfield Park in Butler); Diamond Dawgs (Chase Rowe, La Roche College); Pittsburgh Tigers (Ed McCann, Wallace Field, Baldwin); Seneca Valley Palomino (Phil Eonta, SenecaValley High School); Southwest Bulldogs (John Leonard, Scottsdale Field); and Sportsplex Rivercats (Mark Saghy, Slippery Rock University).

Scott Grinder is the WPIAL president, Bob Mollenhauer the vice president.

Coaches announce awards

The WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association has named a Player of the Year and Coach of the Year in each classification, and the PG South region registered a sweep in Class AAA.

J.J. Hoover, a right-handed pitcher for Elizabeth Forward, is the top player and Joe Maize of Peters Township is the top coach.

The other players honored were: Kevan Smith of Seneca Valley (AAAA), Johnny Elms of Riverside (AA) and Rick Hocanson of Rochester (Class A).

Ron Evans of Penn-Trafford (AAAA), Dan Oliastro of Riverside (AA) and Brian Verrico of Rochester (A) are the other coaches of the year.