Sixteen games in 15 days.

That's what faces the Peters Township/Houston American Legion baseball team in the first 15 days of July.

"It's bizarre," said Kevin Gallagher, business manager of the team. "It's like going to work. This [backup of games] happens every year, but not to this extent."

Gallagher's scheduling problems are due to successful seasons turned in by the high school baseball teams at Peters Township and Canon-McMillan, which meant both teams played well into June. The American Legion season opened this year on May 19.

Peters Township won the WPIAL Class AAAA title for the second year in a row and advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals, before losing to Canon-McMillan on June 5. The Big Macs placed third in the WPIAL, then won four games in a row in the PIAA tournament and claimed its first state title.

"Both Peters Township and Houston have traditionally fielded an American Legion team, but this year both teams were having trouble finding enough players," said Gallagher. "Both teams were in jeopardy of being dropped, so we decided to merge the two teams."

Gallagher and manager Steve Douglas have compiled a roster that includes 13 players from Peters Township and five from Canon-McMillan. Although there are no players on the roster from Chartiers-Houston High School, the team is officially called Peters/Houston on the league directory.

"Five of my kids from Peters Township are double-rostered on our Colt League team," said Gallagher. "They attend games whenever they are available. It's great to have them with such a demanding schedule in July."

The roster may include only five players from Canon-McMillan, but all five are quality players. Four of the five recently completed their senior years at Canon-McMillan, while the other is a first-year college student.

Chris Dittmar and Chris Douglas were the top two pitchers for Canon-McMillan this season. Dittmar also plays in the outfield, while Douglas doubles as a third baseman.

"Dittmar pitched a shutout in the PIAA playoff game that eliminated Peters Township," Gallagher said. "Now he's playing with some of the same kids he beat in that game."

Shortstop Andre Hayden and first baseman Aaron Wiegle were also members of the PIAA championship team. Mike Mish, a pitcher/outfielder, graduated from Canon-McMillan last year.

"We had a game scheduled for this past Monday, but had to reschedule it because Canon-McMillan's championship team was being honored in Harrisburg," Gallagher said.

"It's great for the kids to be recognized, but it didn't help with our scheduling woes."

Peters Township/Canon-McMillan entered the week with a 2-2 record.

"Playing 16 games in 15 days plays havoc with your pitching staff," said Gallagher.

Peters Township's top entries to the team are: outfielders Pat Gallagher, Cooper Fazio and Ben Boehme, first baseman Austin Hancock, catcher Will McClure, and pitcher/third baseman Ryan McLaughlin.

"Hancock and McClure were both ninth graders this year," Gallagher said. "The other four are all graduating seniors, including my son, Pat. We have a great outfield, but not as much depth in the infield."

Outfielder Andrew Paul and catcher Shane Deiley are also seeing significant playing time.

The five players who are double-rostered on the Colt team are infielders Shayne Ali, pitcher Sean Berry, catcher Bradley Hirko, pitcher Max Maszle, and infielder/outfielder Lou Wickstrom.

"If our pitching holds up, we should have a decent team," Gallagher said. "We just have to play a lot of ball in a short amount of time."