The Division II State Tournament was held in Ely last year and the host team not only held its own, but picked up a win and settled for a sixth-place state tournament finish.
That provides both some optimism and motivation as Ely’s American Legion baseball team launched a new season.
Post 248 takes to the field Wednesday in Silver Bay, taking on Cook County and opening a 22-game slate that could lead to a second consecutive state tournament berth.
Ely has to earn its way in this summer, but that could very well occur with a team that brings back nearly its entire starting lineup and the bulk of its pitching staff.
Sure to help also is the experience from the high school season, with Ely reaching the Section 7A finals (see related story) this week.
And to top it off, most of this year’s team has been part of Ely Junior Legion teams that have reached state tournament play the last two summers.
“It’s a group that has had some success, and they’re used to winning and playing in big games,” said head coach Tom Coombe, who has guided Ely’s Legion program since 1994 and has collected 630 wins in that tenure. “We hope to be playing for something at the end of July.”
Ely figures to contend in the Northeast Substate and has loaded up its schedule to prepare for postseason competition.
Because of age rules, Post 248 also gets a boost this summer with the return of two college freshmen - who both played collegiately this spring.
Caid Chittum received all-state honors last spring in high school and all-state tournament recognition both last summer and in the 2024 Junior Legion state tourney. He started a handful of games at shortstop for the University of Minnesota-Duluth, a NCAA Division II program, and is coming off back-to-back .400-plus seasons in Legion ball.
Chittum will anchor the Ely defense at shortstop and is sure to get his share of innings on the mound.
“You bring back a player like Caid, and it instantly makes the entire team better,” said Coombe. “Whether he’s at short, on the mound or hitting he’s a big difference maker and our infield will be so much better by him in it.” Last summer, Chittum hit .465 and compiled a 0.54 earned run average in limited pitching duty.
Another college freshman, Ben Leeson, will lead the Ely defense from behind the plate.
A three-year starter at catcher, Leeson was part of a St. Cloud Tech team that won 35 games this spring.
“Having Benny back will also be huge and he is a competitor and an excellent catcher,” said Coombe. “Bringing two college guys back who can play just takes this team to a different level.” For Post 248, success will start on the pitching mound and Ely figures to have plenty of depth.
The pitching staff was the strength of the high school team and will be led by senior Hunter Halbakken, who has eight wins this spring, and junior Owen Marolt, who had four wins in Legion last summer and a 0.93 earned run average.
Another potential addition to the staff is Cedar Holman, a North Woods sophomore who pitched at both the Junior and Senior Legion levels in 2025.
Post 248 should be strong up and down its lineup, with Chittum and Leeson joining returning cogs including senior Drew Johnson, who led off last summer and hit over .300.
Junior outfielders Sean Merriman (.342) and Tyde Brecke join infielders Marolt, Evan Leeson and Stig Majerus and sophomore catcher/ outfielder Grant Chittum in providing more lineup punch, and Halbakken figures to be in the infield when not on the mound for Post 248.
The regular season begins this week and as usual includes a pair of home tournaments - the eight-team DQ Grill and Chill Classic June 19-21 and the 12-team Ely Echo Midsummer Classic from July 9-12.
Because of upcoming renovations at the home ballpark, Ely will have to travel for its postseason games and the Northeast Substate Final Four is set for Proctor in late-July, with the winner there earning a trip to Glenwood for the Division II State Tournament.
Ely Legion Baseball 2026 Schedule
June 10: vs. Cook County, at Silver Bay, 6 p.m.
June 11: Walker (2), 5 p.m.
June 15: at Int. Falls June 19: DQ Classic, Kenyon, 8 p.m.
June 20: DQ Classic, Dul. Lakeview,1 p.m.
June 20: DQ Classic, Mpls.
Northside, 7:45 p.m.
June 21: DQ Classic, Proctor, 4:15 p.m.
June 25: at Mpls. Northside, 4 p.m.
June 26: vs. Waterville/Elysian (at Cannon Falls), 5 p.m. June 27: Opponent to be determined June 29: Deer River/Cook County, 5/7:30 p.m.
July 1: Int. Falls, 7 p.m.
July 2: at Blackduck (2), 4 p.m.
July 7: at Deer River, 7 p.m.
July 9: Ely Echo Classic, 7:30 p.m.
July 10: Ely Echo Classic, 7:30 p.m.
July 11: Ely Echo Classic, 5;30 p.m.
July 12: Ely Echo Classic, 4:15 p.m.
July 18-19; Northeast Substate Playoffs July 24-26 Northeast Substate Final Four at Proctor July 31-Aug. 2: State Tournament at Glenwood Home dates in bold
