Snow days have given way to daffodils and rain outs.
About time.
The New Westminster Mariners are set to launch the 2017 Lower Mainland Baseball Association’s men’s over-30 league’s season, with an opening pitch slated for 10 a.m. Sunday at Queen’s Park Stadium.
Change being an eternal element of baseball, this year’s M’s lineup includes a few new faces, but also the loss of longtime manager/pitcher Todd Campbell.
Campbell, who relocated to Brampton, Ont. due to work, has handed the head coaching duties to centerfielder Maurice Jackson, who served as an assistant the past few years.
“Most of our players have come back, but losing Todd is a big hit,” said Jackson. “(Campbell) was a pitcher and infielder – not a fastball pitcher but one who threw a lot of junk. He’s left more shoes to fill than just coach.”
Jackson said last year’s eighth-place finish, at 4-10-1, was a big fall from the expectations coming off a third-place result in 2015.
“We had a big high (in 2015) but last year was very disappointing. We just couldn’t put it together,” he said.
Which brings us to now, when hope springs eternal and a new season has great potential.
“It’s a new chapter. Our goal is to improve on last year and be a contender.”
The squad has a solid core of four pitchers – Mike Mudry, Nathan Owen, Joon Park and Matt Rebman.
While a few more pitchers would be an asset in chasing down the perennial favourite Howe Sound Hounds and defending champion Burnaby Blue Jays, a lot will depend on who’s available and healthy.
Driving home the runs will be catcher Jason Zwaagstra, Curtis Lucas, Eric Reykdal and Fraser Young, among others.
They open this weekend against the Vancouver Seagulls. Home games are Sundays, 10 a.m. at Queen’s Park.
