The OV Mountaineers are a low-cost, travel ball team open to high school-aged players throughout the valley. The team is active from the end of the high school season through the first two weeks of July, also playing some games in the fall.

Manager and founder Ron Green began the team five years ago to give local players another option to continue playing baseball beyond the high school season.

“We just give kids the opportunity to play, practice and get better,” Green said. “We’re not here to make money off of them.”

To further try and keep costs low, Green said the team does not travel very far outside of the Ohio Valley.

The farthest the team would go, according to Green, is Youngtown, Ohio to Parkersburg, North to South, and Pittsburgh to Cambridge, East to West.

Even so, Green said the team aims to play 20-30 games every summer and participate in at least two tournaments, in addition to the Beast of the East Classic, held locally.

“We’re not charging high fees, we’re not making money,” Green said. “It all goes towards the team and if there’s some left over at the end of the season, it goes back to the kids in some way.”

The Mountaineers attract players from all over the valley, according to Green. In the last two seasons the team has had players from Indian Creek, Union Local, Bellaire, Martins Ferry, Buckeye Local, John Marshall, Wheeling Central, Wheeling Park and Linsly. In years past, Green said they’ve had players from as far away as Cameron.

“We take kids from anywhere, as long as they play baseball,” Green said.

This will be the first season the organization fields a 16U team.

The Mountaineers use John Marshall High School as their home field but also have practices and workouts at Bellaire High School and the Highlands Sports Complex in Triadelphia.

In addition to the Summer season, Green said the team also tries to play 10-15 games in the Fall and have a few workouts in the Winter.

Green said there would be no conflicts with the high school football season for any current football players who are interested in trying out for the team.

Age requirements are that any player on the 19U team must still be 19 by July 15 and anyone on the 16U team must still be 16 by July 15.

No pre-registration is required for Sunday’s tryouts. Green can be reached at 740-296-3958 with any questions.

Green has 25 years of umpiring and coaching experience, from Little League up through high school. He coaches the 19U team along with assistant coach Derek Vasey, of Bellaire. JD Wilhelm and Rick Zonker, both of Bellaire, coach the 16U team.