There were times last season when the Red Deer Riggers were struggling to put together a nine-man roster for games on the road.
That shouldn’t be the case this summer with the Sunburst Baseball League squad announcing a 25-man roster.
“Last year we did struggle a bit to get guys out, but that won’t be the case this season,” said Riggers president/head coach Jaret Chatwood. “Last year was just the perfect storm. We lost some guys due to retirement, some because of Covid, plus a few local guys ended up with the (Sylvan Lake) Gulls.
“A lot of things happened that were out of our control, but I think we have it figured out.”
The Riggers have 14 players returning from last year’s squad that played their best baseball at the end of the season, forcing the eventual champion Edmonton Cubs to a fifth game in the best-of-five league and senior AAA provincial final.
They did lose four players — Ty Wagar, Wyle Cunningham, Carter Claerhout and JP Wilner.
“Ty and Wilner didn’t return while Wyle has an arm injury and Carter is at the Prairie Baseball Academy and has signed with the Lethbridge Bulls (of the WCBL) which is good for him,” said Chatwood who will have Zach Olsen back in the fold after a year with the Gulls.
“He’s a definite plus, nice to get back,” said Chatwood, who looks to have a solid pitching staff, led by Josh Edwards.
Edwards posted a 3.67 ERA last season, seventh in the SBL, and was outstanding in the playoffs.
As well Rees DeRuyter, Brett Porter and Kyle Baumback return along with veterans Davin Gulbransen, Joel Peterman and Dustin Northcott.
They’ve also added mound depth with the addition of Jay Kirkham, who moves over from the Innisfail Trappers, and Kai Poffenroth of Bentley, who has experience with the Bulls.
Poffenroth also played college ball in the States and was the midget AA player of the year in the province for Clive in the 2014 season.
Newcomer Connor Burns of St. Albert is also listed on the pitching staff and there’s still the possibility Jared Arnold, who was one of the top pitchers for the Gulls last season, may come out.
“I’ve talked with Jared and he’s still not committed,” said Jaret, “He’d certainly be a huge bonus.”
Last year Chatwood ended up behind the plate for the majority of the time, but this year he has help with the addition of Red Deer product Grayson Borchers, who is with PBA.
First baseman Jason Louis, who led the team with a .351 batting average last season anchors the offence along with Mason Love-Hollman, Austin Hammond, Roen Helgren and Blair McGeough.
As well Corbyn Shields, who played minor baseball in Red Deer, and was with the Trappers, brings added depth offensively and in the infield along with local products Levi Hammond, Anthony Chatwood, who played one game last season, and Adam Turgeon, who is with the University of Jamestown.
Both Chatwood and Turgeon are still midget age.
Other additions include Justin Reay and Gavin Fraser.
A number of the new faces are out of the St. Joseph’s Baseball Academy.
“We’re starting to see the rewards of that program,” said Jaret. “It’s beneficial for sure in that baseball in Red Deer continues to grow. We look at our team and the guys in their early to mid-30s and have families and may not be around for much longer and we need to have that group of local players from 18-25 to build around.
‘That program has some real good players with the ability to play at this level. Having those kids available is great for us.”
The Riggers open their SBL season Monday at Sherwood Park. They also travel to Sherwood Park, May 16 and host the St. Albert Tigers May 17 in Sylvan Lake.
Ten of the team’s 20 regular-season games were slated for Sylvan Lake, because of financial reasons, saving them a considerable amount per game.
Half the regular season games will still be at Great Chief Park as well as their tournament — July 15-17. The Senior AAA Baseball Canada Nationals, slated for late August 2023, will also be in Red Deer.
The SBL has expanded this season with the addition of the Edmonton Padres.
“They’re a nice addition as the league means that much more with the fifth-place team now missing the playoffs,” said Chatwood. “Every game now means something.
“I’ve also seen their roster and they have a lot of younger guys and I expect them to be competitive.”
Chatwood is looking to add a league and provincial title to their resume this year.
“That’s our goal,” he said. “We’re hosting the Nationals next summer and we don’t want to go in only because we’re the host team but as Alberta One.”
Chatwood will continue to manage the team and will have McGeough, Edwards and Peterman as assistants with Northcott also helping with the pitching staff when available.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca