MORAN — When Marmaton Valley High School’s baseball players take the field this season, they’ll do so as Eagles.
The respective boards of education at Marmaton Valley and Uniontown school districts agreed this week to consolidate their baseball teams into one, with the MV players joining the Uniontown squad.
Details of the Eagle-Wildcat merger were being finalized today, with practice and game protocols being set.
Early plans are for the teams to follow Uniontown’s schedule, with games and practices split evenly between Uniontown and Moran, which lie 12 miles apart.
“We want to keep both fields in playing shape with the hope that eventually the teams can play again on their own” when numbers improve, Marmaton Valley Principal Kim Ensminger explained. “We’re trying to split everything 50-50.”
Early projections were the Marmaton Valley squad would suit up only seven players this year — two shy of fielding a lineup — and Uniontown nine, Ensminger said.
“And both schools have weekly eligibility rules, which unfortunately plays a role, too,” she said.
Each school will have its own coach. Ensminger said John Adams, who has coached youth baseball for years in Moran, likely will be pegged to lead the Marmaton Valley contingent.
By combining the teams, the new squad likely will be bumped up a couple of classifications to Class 3A for postseason play.
“It won’t affect the regular season schedule,” Ensminger said. “There are good teams at every level.”
Girls will not be affected. Both schools will suit up their own softball teams.
Spring sports practices begin March 2.
