Red Deer Dairy Queen Braves head coach Dwayne Lalor could have added to his roster for the Western Canadian peewee baseball championships, but didn’t feel there was a real need.
“We’re healthy and we felt the 12 kids we have earned the right to play,” said Lalor, whose squad left today for Nanaimo, B.C.
“If we would have had an injury, or someone couldn’t go then we would have added a player or two, but we have the depth and it’s easier on the guys not worrying about someone coming in and taking their place.
“The kids have all worked hard to get there and we don’t want to take any of that away from them.”
The Braves open play Thursday at 6;) p.m. (MDT) against the Saskatoon Braves, the No. 1 team out of Saskatchewan.
“Any time you win a provincial championship you’ll have a good team,” said Lalor, whose squad finished second in Alberta behind Sherwood Park. “In fact there won’t be any poor teams there.”
Each of the four western provinces send two teams, which will be divided into two pools with the top two teams in each advancing to the medal round.
The Braves face Manitoba No. 1 (Midwest) Friday at noon and the host Nanaimo Pirates at 6 p.m.
The playoffs are set for Saturday with the fourth place teams in each pool meeting along with the third place teams. The semifinals go at noon with the medal games Sunday.
The Braves go into the playoffs after doing little for close to three weeks following the provincials.
“We gave everyone a week off then had two weeks of practice,” explained Lalor. “But practices went well and we did play Sherwood Park on the weekend, just to get some game action in.”
Lalor believes the kids are ready.
“We want to get off to a quick start and try to ride the wave,” he said. “If we can score early everyone will settle down.”
The Braves’ roster has only Griffin Moline as a pitcher, but that’s deceiving as all 12 members of the team can throw.
“We have a lot of diversity with all the kids able to play a number of positions,” added Lalor.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com