The 2017 Butler County American Legion baseball season gets under way Tuesday — with a few notable omissions.

Butler City, Mars, Slippery Rock, Valley and Kiski are not fielding teams this year, due to lack of numbers or commitment.

“The whole thing has just collapsed,” BCAL president and longtime Butler City manager Jerry Piroch said. “There's just a lack of kids.

“I only had five players coming back and a couple of them could not commit to playing because of work. This is the first time in years I haven't had a team.”

One former Butler City player — outfielder Hayden Kretzer — will be playing for his third different team in three seasons. He started out with Meridian, went over to Butler City last season and is now with East Butler.

Two other former Butler City players — Nick Ray and Aaron Michaux — will platy for Meridian this year. Meridian has a new manager as Tyler Friel has taken over for veteran skipper Butch Master.

Center Township, Cranberry, East Butler, A-C Valley/Karns City, Saxonburg and West Sunbury join East Butler and Meridian in comprising the now seven-team league.

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