Brandon Ickes is one of several veterans returning for defending champ Lilly Mirror file photo

They keep getting older, but they keep winning titles.

Lilly has dominated the Altoona Greater City Baseball League for more than two decades and will begin its title defense when the 2025 regular season opens Sunday.

Lilly will face Blair County Oil at 1 p.m. Sunday in Lilly in a rematch of last year’s championship series. Two other City League games will be held Sunday.

Lilly lost just two regular-season games last year en route to sweeping its way through the playoffs to earn its 19th City League title in the last 22 seasons. The main core of players continue to suit up for Lilly as it sprinkles in some younger guys.

BCO, Refresh Med Spa and Sheetz were Lilly’s main competition last season, and all three teams return, along with Sinisi Detailing (formerly Allegheny Ridge Bats) and Honey Baked Ham.

The six City League teams will also compete against the three teams in the Altoona AAABA League.

Cumming Motors, which advanced to the semifinals of the AAABA national tournament in Johnstown last year, will face competition against Brett Cogan Electric and Imlers Poultry in the local league, along with teams in the Rust Belt League.

The following is a capsulized look at the nine teams in the City League and AAABA:

CITY LEAGUE

Blair County Oil

Manager: Dale Snyder

Last year’s record: 11-10 (Lost to Lilly in the championship series)

Returning players: Matt Duppstadt of; Dalton Gochnour 1b-p; Brayden Harbaugh of; Jordan Klausman inf-p-c; Brendan Kuhns inf-p; Noah Rodgers p-of; Andy Scalice c-inf-p; Seth Smith p; Sean Steffy of; Tyler Sweeney p-inf-of; Mike Turiano inf-p.

Newcomers: Simon Casalvieri c; Rodney Patterson 1b-p; Graham Spitz p-inf; Kevin Yoder 1b-of; Josh Nichols of.

Strengths: “Returning players. They are ready to get back at it.”

Concerns: “Depth at some positions.”

Overall outlook: “We lost some key players from last year’s team, but we still have a lot of talent, that if we play to our potential, we should go deep into the playoffs.”

Team to beat: Lilly

Honey Baked Ham

Manager: Joshua Krise

Last year’s record: 2-19

Returning players: Mitch Barton of; Billy Dicken p; Nic Folcarelli 2b-3b-p; Dom Georgiana util; Joshua Krise dh-1b-p; Bailey Kudlawiec of; Cam Malone of; Jamen McCabe util; Ryan Naglowsky util; Dawson Rightenour; Garret Rossman 1b-3b-p; Hunter Rossman util-p; Michael Stoner of-3b; Aaron Yasulitis util.

Newcomers: Reese Evans 2b-ss-3b; Stephen Hanzir inf-p; Kevin Lehner of-1b; Cody Swope 3b-c-p; Dan Taylor 2b-ss-of-p; Josh Yasulitis ph.

Strengths: “Our strength is going to be our pitching.”

Concerns: “The primary area of concern appears to be coaching — specifically in terms of decision-making and leadership. Strengthening these aspects could significantly enhance team performance and overall cohesion.”

Overall outlook: “We have a lot of returning players. We’re hoping to compete and make playoffs this year.”

Team to beat: All of them

Lilly

Manager: Ron Davison

Last year record: 19-2 (won championship series over Blair County Oil)

Returning players: Derek Younker p; PJ Holberg p; Shane Suter p; Jim Dunlap p; Aaron Smith p; Tim Fabbri p-1b; T.J. Adams of-p; Chad McCoy c-inf-of; Luke McCoy inf; Brandon Ickes inf; Ryan Ickes of; Cody Gallaher 1b; Brock Porter of; Josh Bracken inf-of; Alexander Yost inf-of; Dakota Chamberlain inf; Owen Kravetz of-c; Ian Olsavsky p-inf-of; Preston Farabaugh inf; Jake Shope inf; Jordan McCall of; Alexander Yost of.

Newcomers: Joey DeRubeis p; Aidan Simpson p-inf; Brycen Rearick c; Britton Marko c

Strengths: “Experience.”

Concerns: “Same story. Getting older every year. Staying healthy and player availability is always a concern.”

Overall outlook: “It’s a new season. We look to make a run at another championship.”

Team to beat: Everybody

Refresh Med Spa

Manager: Joe Fornwalt

Assistants: Rich Mento, Randy Hoover

Last year’s record: 10-10 (Lost to Lilly in semifinals)

Returning players: Alex Cherico, Bill Green, Brenden Grazier, Brenden Miller, Caden Terchanik, Jextin Pugh, Landyn Evens, Luke Mento, Mark Mento, Mason Mento, Ryan Hanlon, Tony Petulla, Derek Wardrop, Jake Weibley, Robbie Yahner

Newcomers: Jacob Gregg, Luke Repko, Mason Peterson, Rich Ball, Jake Zavalanski, Blaise Pierce, Scott McGonigle, Sean Larson, Zach Metzgar, Joey DeRubeis, Steve Doyle, Adam Loucks

Strengths: “Solid mix of veterans and youth.”

Concerns: “Losing Jimmy Mento and Kenny Weiland, and having Jexton Pugh on the mend to start the season. We lost two strong pitchers and a gamer in Kenny Weiland.”

Overall outlook: “Looking to be competitive and have the team stronger by the end of the season.”

Team to beat: Lilly, until proven otherwise

Sheetz

Manager: Kyle DeGennaro

Last year’s record: 10-11 (Lost to Blair County Oil in semifinals)

Returning players: Chris Tromm inf-of; Eric Grace inf-pl Tyler Treese of; Jake Stern inf-p; Isaac Stern of; Mike Mock inf-p; Evan Sanders of-p; Caleb Sanders inf-p; Connor Sanders c-inf; Noah Hillard inf-of-p; Blake Johnston p-inf; Alex Schmoke inf-p; Kyle DeGennaro inf; Parker Gregg of; Scott Meintel of-p; Jared Pufka inf; EJ Ulery inf-p; Nate Empson p-inf; Sam Carmel inf.

Newcomers: Tyreke Green inf-p; Ethan Karageanes inf-of-p; Julian Morgan of; Brady Shehan inf; Nevin McGraw inf-p.

Strengths: “Hitting.”

Concerns: “Pitching.”

Overall outlook: “Looking forward to this season with a good bit of guys returning from last year, and we added some younger players for this year. We should be competitive and have a good chance to have a really good season.”

Team to beat: Lilly

Sinisi Detailing

Manager: Ken Durbin

Last year’s record: 5-14 as Allegheny Ridge Bats

Returning players: Raymond Watt p-inf; Brandon Durbin inf-of; Ricky Patterson inf-p; Logan Gotshall inf-p; Owen Lane of; Adam Sinisi inf-p; Evan Becquet of-c; Ben Dombrosky inf; Alex Karlhein of-p; Cayse McCombie p-inf; Brad Rosemas inf; CJ Meyers of-c; Isaac Kuntz inf; Nate Schueler of

Newcomers: Mark Stewart inf-p; Josh Vinglish of-inf; Josh Scalise c; Zack Coucart inf-of; Tony Keith inf-of; Chris Sinisi inf; Joel Myers inf-of

Concerns: “Always hope to have enough pitching.”

Overall outlook: “Should rebound from last year.”

Team to beat: Lilly

AAABA LEAGUE

Brent Cogan Electric

Manager: Tommy Williams

Last year’s record: 11-11

Returning players: Nick Negola of-p; Owen Dombrosky p-util; Cooper Rother inf-of; Braylon Williams p-util; Lex Dixon inf-of; Bryce Eberhart inf-of; Alex Yost inf-of; Jack Foster inf-of; Brody Mellott p; Rowan Gorsuch p.

Newcomers: Eric McAllister p-inf-of; Josh Ross p; Travis Keister p-util; Cole Suba p; Aiden Simpson p-inf; Mason Peterson p-inf; Troy Misursa p; Jake Marasco p-inf-of; Brennan Freiwald p-util.

Strengths: “Players with college reps and college talent.”

Concerns: “Some new players and lack of playing together.”

Overall outlook: “We want to compete and get our college players reps.”

Team to beat: Cumming Motors

Cumming Motors

Manager: Chris Sanders

Assistants: Mark Hott, Matt Smearman, Bill Sell, Jamie Eckenrode, Sean Neff, Bryant Allison (player-coach)

Last year’s record: 32-14 (Lost in AAABA Tournament semifinals to Buffalo)

Returning players: Aaron Smearman rhp-inf; Adam Cooper 1b-of; Aidan Steinbugl rhp-inf; Alex Ebeling lhp-of; Ben Kormanski inf; Brady Angus rhp-util; Braedyn Kormanic rhp-util; Braylan Knable c-dh; Britton Marko util; Caden Hody rhp; Cam Donaldson inf; Cam Swogger c-util; Carter Weaverling util; Charlie Bakken of; Donte Emerick rhp; Eli Wiles rhp; Ethan Schimony util; Evan Summerson of; Gavin Brower rhp; Gavin Woodward util; Jacob Detwiler rhp; Jeremy Dietz Jr. rhp-util; Kade Sell rhp-util; Kyle Klotz c-1b; Lucas Muffie rhp-util; Mack Meengs lhp; Nate Helms c; Peyton Vancus rhp-util; Roman Fridley rhp-of; Tommy Stiffler util; Tyreke Green of; Weston McClain rhp; Zack LeGars of; Zack Wiles of; Devon Boyles 1b-rhp.

Newcomers: Alex Neidig util; Braden Hatch c-util; Cayde McCloskey 1b; CJ Kellogg-Long c; Colin Bush util; Cru Stover util; Donald Miller util; Dylan Ewing rhp; Ethan Brody rhp; Gabe Jansen rhp; Landon Perry lhp-1b; Landon Postreich rhp; Reece Musselman lhp; Riley Bubb util; Ryan McConnell rhp; Zac Witherow rhp; Carter Savage.

Strengths: “After last season, we addressed our pitching issue, and we feel it is going to be one of our strengths this season, as well as our vast experience we have gained the last few seasons in the national tournament.”

Concerns: “Health is always a concern, and our travel portion of our schedule — we have many games again this summer, and with that always comes the concern of sore arms and these guys coming off the college season.”

Overall outlook: “We have retooled once again and have added many pitchers to our team. We are hoping with these additions and the core group of returning players, it will give us the edge to obtain one of our preseason goals and get to the national tournament once again. As in past seasons, we have come to learn anything can happen when you get to the AAABA Tournament.”

Team to beat: Imlers, Brent Cogan and all the teams in the Rust Belt League

Imler’s Poultry

Manager: Brian Bell

Last year’s record: 4-10

Returning players: Brady Steiner ss-p; Will Sankey inf-of; Gavin Albright inf-p; Gavin Bell of; EJ Ulery p-1b-of; Jay Albarano 1b-3b; Preston Farabaugh p-inf-of; Kaleb Mountain p-inf-of; Nick Kraft c-3b; Cayden Gibbons c-p; Elijah Shade p-inf-of; Logan Meyers p-c-inf; Braxton Zitsch p-1b-of; Sam Royer p-of; Bubba Slowick c-p-inf.

Newcomers: Jake Hileman of; Caden Gibbons of-inf-p; Dante LaRocco inf-of-p; Leland Baer p-of; Beau Rabel inf-p; Tyler Steiner inf-p-of; JJ Stultz inf-p

Strengths: “Core nucleus of the team is returning with a year of experience at this level of competition.”

Concerns: “A very young team playing really good competition.”

Overall outlook: “We are looking to be competitive in every game and improve on last year’s record.”

Team to beat: One game at a time. Every team is the team to beat.