The Red Deer Riggers didn’t get the best draw at the Canadian Senior AAA Baseball Championships in Miramichi, N.B., but head coach Curtis Bailey isn’t complaining.
“One of the teams has to get the tough draw and it happens to be us this year,” he said prior to flying out of Edmonton at 12:30 p.m. today.
“But we have to take care of our end of things and not worry about it.”
The Riggers are the only team to play twice Saturday — 6 a.m. (MDT) against Mississauga, Ont., and 11:45 a.m. against St. Johns, NL — and could play a third game if they finish second or third in their pool.
“The nice thing is we play Newfoundland last and usually they have a so-so team, so hopefully we have a playoff berth sewed up by then and can rest some guys,” said Bailey, whose squad opens play Thursday at 9 a.m. against Dartmouth and play Fredericton, N.B. at 6 a.m. Friday.
“Overall we have a tough pool as Dartmouth is always one of the premier teams as is New Brunswick and Ontario,” added Bailey.
“But we feel we have a top team as well.”
It’s the second straight year the Riggers will attend the nats and that will help, says Bailey.
“Just about everyone is returning and knowing that we can compete, no one will be going in wide-eyed. We know what to expect.
“It also helps the coaching staff, as we know the competition and can set up our pitching staff to give us the best chance to win.”
Bailey feels they have pitching depth after adding James Fischer and Kiel Vertz from the Fort Saskatchewan Athletics along with Dustin Northcott and Cole Stober, who played with the Riggers at the provincials, and left-hander Matt Davis. Davis played last year with the Riggers and spent this summer with Medicine Hat in the Western Major Baseball League.
Fischer will be used as the team’s closer.
“We picked him up for that specific role,” said Bailey. “He’s a guy who thrives on the high energy and stressful situations.”
He played that role two years ago when Fort Saskatchewan won the Canadians.
Vertz, Davis, Stober and Northcott can all start along with Riggers veterans James Dykstra and Brett Lazzarotto. Colin Hodgson, Mark Fay and Joel Peterman will also see mound duty.
Dykstra is the only player not 100 per cent healthy as he’s been bothered by a sore hip.
“But there’s nothing structurally wrong he just needs to get it stretched out and improve his range of motion,” said Bailey, who also added infielder Byron Whitford from the Red Deer Stags, who’ll likely play third base.
“He adds depth to our infield and gives us another strong bat,” said Bailey.
“He also hits left-handed and that’s an area we’re short in.”
Next year’s championships will be in Prince George and there’s talk the Riggers may bid on the next finals to be held in Western Canada — in eiher 2013 or ‘14.
“It takes a lot of work, but we have some parents who are interested in it and I think it would be a good idea,” said Bailey.
“It’s an excellent thing to be part of.”
The Riggers play in the B Pool with Windsor, Ont., Manitoba, Halifax, Chatham, N.B. and B.C. in the other pool.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com
