When it comes to upper-level American Legion baseball in Lawrence, all the eggs go into one basket.

The bulk of the city’s most talented and experienced players are assigned to the Raiders, while the Outlaws are primarily 16- and 17-year-olds.

“We have a collection of young kids who will probably play a step above where they’re at,” said Free State High coach Mike Hill, who oversees the Outlaws while assistants Adam Green and Brad Romme run the club.

Hill stressed, however, that while the Outlaws may be in over their heads at times, they’ll be learning at an accelerated pace.

“We’re excited about giving them a chance to grow,” Hill said, “and we think that’s good.”

Many of the Outlaws’ players were on the roster of the Bandits team that won the American Legion A championship last year. However, the top two pitchers on that team – Max Ellenbecker and Travis Blankenship – are with the Raiders this summer.

Not all of the Outlaws are youngsters, though. The team has a couple of 19-year-olds in Josh Moreno, a former Free State player, and Wellsville product Seth Buckley.

Also, catcher Andy Petz and outfielder-designated hitter Nick Ayre were regulars on the Free State High team that played in last weekend’s Class 6A state tournament at Hoglund Ballpark.

Other than Buckley and Lawrence High grad Travis Hart, the Outlaws are current or former Firebirds.

The Outlaws will open in the Topeka 400 Invitational this weekend. Their first game will be at 3:45 p.m. Friday against Arkansas City.

Meanwhile, the Raiders will play two games Friday in the Topeka 400 tournament at Seaman High – 1:30 p.m. against K.C. Mac-N-Seitz, a team organized by former Royals Mike Macfarlane and Kevin Seitzer, and 6 p.m. against Manhattan.

Saturday, the Raiders will meet Topeka One at 3:45 p.m.; the Outlaws will play twice – against Topeka 74 at 6 p.m. and the host school at 8:30 p.m.

It’s possible the two city schools could meet in Sunday’s semifinals. They could also meet in the Al Ice Woodbat Classic June 14-17.

For certain, they will finish the regular season playing each other.

Because a scheduled tournament at Baker University was canceled, the Raiders and Outlaws will collide at 7 p.m. July 15 and 1 p.m. July 16, with both games to be played at Free State High’s diamond.

Here is the Outlaws’ 13-man roster by age:

16 – Kyle Cross, Matt Ertmer, Brian O’Toole, Andy Petz, Jason Sneegas, Ben Wilson.

17 – Nick Ayre, Jack Hull, Travis Ice, John Sneegas.

18 – Travis Hart.

19 – Seth Buckley, Josh Moreno.