The ice in the arena is out, the snow on the field has melted and that means it’s time to play ball.
North Central Alberta Baseball League’s Westlock Red Lions take to the diamond next month as defending league champions and it’s a title they will look to defend.
“We’ve got a pretty long history in the league so a lot of teams play their best against use, we’re pretty used to seeing everyone’s best and I don’t think it will be any different,” said manager Adam Sawatzky.
“I think it’s key for us to get a good start and build momentum as we go. Kind of like what we did last year.”
The Lions open their season May 7 on the road with a tilt against the league’s best regular season team in 2015, the Edmonton Blackhawks — a club the Red Lions upset in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
“They’re always a really good team, so that will be a good test for us to start the season,” Sawatzky said.
Before then, Sawatzky said the team will look to hit the field and shake off the winter rust.
“We’re going to be out next weekend. We’d like to get out five or six times before the season starts and maybe an exhibition game if it works out that way,” he said.
Sawatzky said he plans to bring back essentially the same championship-winning roster from last year.
“Largely, it’s pretty much the same crew as we went with last year,” he said.
The skip said he expects to lean on his veteran core to help lead the team through the season and count on them to make the big plays when the team needs them.
The Red Lions won’t head into the season with a repeat championship on their mind, but rather will focus on playing good baseball and if they can do that, success will follow.
“We don’t try to set too high of an expectation by coming out and saying it, but we all know what our goals are … and hopefully a championship comes along with that,” Sawatzky said.
The Lions will once again host their home tournament, the John Golonowski Invitational at Keller Field. The dates have been moved forward to the July 1 weekend to coincide with the town’s 100th anniversary celebrations.
All 10 teams that competed in 2015 will return, although Sawatzky said the league nearly expanded by one squad.
“There was talk about a team from the army base, CFB Edmonton, joining, but they had too many other responsibilities to free up enough players,” he said.
The full NCABL schedule has yet to be released.
