Spencer Patterson

Thu, Jun 7, 2001 (11:30 a.m.)

Countless players, coaches and umpires have come and gone, but over the past 21 seasons there has been one constant in Southern Nevada American Legion Baseball: the presence of Edi Gomez.

Holding virtually every position in the youth league's governing body, including a nine-year stint as Legion chairman from 1980-89, Gomez never strayed far from the playing fields during the months of June, July and August.

But after more than two decades, Gomez decided the time had come to exit the stage. Before the 2001 season, he stepped down as the organization's field coordinator and media contact.

"After 21 years, it was time for my wife and me to relax and let somebody else do it," Gomez, 79, said. "I miss it after doing it all these years, but I have beautiful memories of Legion."

Also known for his career as a Latin lounge singer, Gomez's impact on the local Legion scene won't soon be forgotten either. Among his many accomplishments, he wrote the league's first rule book, founded an annual college scholarship fund for the season's MVP and created the Nevada Youth Baseball Association, the body which governs Legion play to this day.

"I don't think anybody can replace Edi Gomez," said Tom Appleyard, coach of Durango's Legion squad. "Those of us who have been involved for a while know how important he has been."

An avid baseball fan since his days as a young player in Puerto Rico, Gomez won't stray too far from the diamond. He still works with the Men's Senior/ Adult Baseball League and serves as a chairman of the County's Parks and Recreation advisory board, helping to improve fields throughout Southern Nevada.

On Gomez's current agenda: helping complete a new field for Western High School, improving lights at Durango and Eldorado and working toward adding lights at either Las Vegas High or new Sierra Vista.

"I love baseball and I'll do anything for the kids," Gomez, 79, said. "I'm not out of baseball, just out of Legion."

Several schools, including Mojave, first-year Sierra Vista, Valley, Boulder City, Moapa Valley and Faith Lutheran will compete at the junior varsity level. Clark, Rancho and Desert Pines are the only Clark County schools not participating at either level.

Each club will play a total of 16 league games, one against each conference opponent. All other matchups are considered non-conference contests and will not count toward the standings.

The top six finishers will qualify for the state tournament, along with Northern Nevada representative Reno. The remaining local teams will compete in a district tournament, with the champion advancing to state.

The Trailblazers will hit the road next Tuesday for the first of four out-of-state tournaments, the Tony Andenucio Classic in Pueblo, Colo. Later in the summer, Durango will compete in Rapid City, S.D., Woodward, Okla., and San Clemente, Calif...

Cimarron-Memorial will visit Durango tonight at 8 p.m. at Durango in a rematch of last year's Legion state championship game. The Spartans won 6-5 to advance to the Western Regional Tournament in 2000.