Win or lose, the Pirates will make franchise history this week.
The Mid Island Pirates, formerly the Nanaimo Pirates, are about to begin their first B.C. Premier Baseball League season with their new branding.
The Pirates host the Victoria Mariners on Wednesday (April 5) at Serauxmen Stadium.
At the end of the 2016, the Pirates strengthened catchment-area ties in the Cowichan Valley. The new foundation of the club is working, as manager Doug Rogers said numbers are up.
“There’s some very, very talented kids here,” he said.
The Pirates will be young, though, as only three players return from the 2016 squad. Rogers said the youngsters are anxious to learn and impressionable.
“They are absorbing. They’re sponges right now and the only thing we have to be careful of as coaches is we have to take this slowly,” the manager said.
He thinks team speed can be a strength, and there’s a better balance this year of left- and right-handed pitchers and hitters.
Players will develop and adjust differently, Rogers said, so it’s hard to project how the talent he sees now will look once the season is in full swing.
“There’s definitely been an upswing and they’re starting to understand the way things work at this level and it’s a lot different than the lower levels. It’s a huge jump for them,” he said.
He’s been happy with the commitment through fall ball, winter training and pre-season. The Pirates are ready to start playing for real.
“It’s finally here and the kids and the coaching staff are excited,” Rogers said.
GAME ON … The Pirates and Mariners play Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium. After that, the next home game isn’t until May 10.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com