Junior Team Coach Will Replace Longtime Leader

For the first time since 1984, the American Legion Post 295 senior baseball team will have a new leader.

Steve Cononie will replace longtime head coach Rick Price. Price accepted a position managing the Rockville Express, which is part of the Cal Ripken Baseball League.

"I have some very big shoes to fill,” Cononie said. “Rick created this, and I hope I can continue what he started. I am sure I will be on the phone a lot with Rick asking questions. He's been a mentor and will continue to be."

Price had coached the senior team since its inception — his legacy includes 11 division titles and three state titles. Cononie worked with Price for years and was a founding member of the program's junior team.

For the past two seasons, Cononie has guided the junior team to the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series in Tennessee, where this season, the team took home third place.

He hopes to continue Price’s winning legacy as the senior team’s new leader. As for the junior team, Cononie said he plans to start interviewing for the new manager’s position in the coming weeks.

"I can't wait to get the ball rolling," Cononie said. "I know that both of my sons have loved playing Legion ball and got better due to the amount of time on the field. If you play more games you will get better and when you're good, college teams will find you."