THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The first time the Coeur d'Alene American Legion baseball program held an alumni game, it was to have one more game on its longtime home field near the lake.

This time around, they're playing to remember a friend, as well as teammate and start a tradition at the program's new home.

PLAYERS WILL take the field for the third annual Coeur d'Alene American Legion alumni baseball game scheduled for Aug. 9 at Thorco Field, next to the Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene.

The time is still to be determined.

"It really depends on how many guys we can get out," event organizer Nick Groth said. "If we can get a bunch of guys, we'll play two games."

Like in previous years, players will hold a home run derby before the game, with any former Lumbermen players encouraged to come out.

"We had about 30 guys last year, ranging from the late 60s to guys just out of college," Roth said. "It was a pretty big mix of kids."

Groth, who coached the Coeur d'Alene High freshman team in 2013, also played for the Vikings, graduating in 1995.

"It's a good time," Groth said. "For me, I played at McEuen (Field) and didn't know any other field. Playing under the lights, it's a good opportunity. If we're playing with a cause and money going somewhere, it makes it more special."

MONEY RAISED from this year's game will go to a scholarship for a graduating senior who is moving onto college in the name of Adam Capaul.

Capaul, 27, passed away in December 2013. He attended Lake City High and went on to play baseball at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, graduating in 2006 with an associate degree. He also played Legion ball for the Lumbermen.

"We're trying to give something back to the program with the scholarship," Groth said. "It is open to anyone that is moving on to college, whether they're playing or not and we're having them write up an essay on how Legion baseball has impacted their life."

A silent auction will also be held during the game, with items including a autographed bat from Kyle Johnson, as well as a pair of the former Lake City High and Washington State outfielder's batting gloves and three hours of hitting instruction from Johnson, a former Lums player who is playing in the Double-A All-Star game today as a member of the Binghampton (N.Y.) Mets, a farm club of the New York Mets.

"We're hoping to have a big event with a ton of items," Groth said. "Things are kind of starting to roll along."

In an effort to get acclimated to the game, a group of Coeur d'Alene alumni will travel to Lewiston on Saturday to face an alumni group of Lewis-Clark players at 7 p.m. at Harris Field.

"They were trying to spice up their game a little bit," Groth said. "Back when we played, Lewiston was always our biggest rival. As a coach, my first practice, I told my team that as long as we beat Lewiston, it's a successful season. It's been pretty easy to gather guys to play Lewiston."

For more information on the game and auction, contact Groth at (208) 661-1039.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter at JEPressSports.