The Sunburst Baseball league will have a new look this season.
The league has expanded to seven teams with the addition of the Calgary Diamondbacks and Calgary Rockies.
The two Calgary teams, along with the Red Deer Riggers, will compete in the South Division with the Edmonton Cubs and Padres, Sherwood Park A’s and St. Albert Tigers in the North.
Teams will play most of their schedule against their own division and a home-and-home against the teams in the other division during the season.
“It’s good, makes for a more diverse league,” said Riggers manager Jaret Chatwood. “Calgary teams have shown interest in our league over the years and this year they made the jump.
“Last year we added the Padres now the two Calgary teams … the league is getting a bit stronger.
The Riggers will open their season May 7 at defending league champion Sherwood Park and open at home May 8. The Riggers will once again play their home games at Great Chief Park and Sylvan Lake, “depending on diamond availability.”
The Riggers, who will host the Canadian Senior AAA baseball championships Aug. 24-27 at Great Chief Park, are close to finalizing their roster.
“We added a few new players and lost a couple, but we appear to have a competitive roster,” said Chatwood. “We still have a couple of gaps to fill but have a strong group returning. We really didn’t lose any of the veteran group.”
Jaret indicated there’s been “a lot of interest from players around the area wanting to come out, so we’ll see as we get closer to opening camp.”
The team’s infield looks to be strong again with SBL all-stars Gavin Fraser (shortstop), Corbyn Shields (second base) and Josh Edwards (first base) all returning, along with all-star outfielder Zach Olsen.
Edwards and Jason Louis give the Riggers the best one-two combination at first base in the league. Edwards is also one of the premier pitchers in the province.
Shields, who joined the team after playing several seasons with Innisfail was named the league’s rookie of the year last season.
Cooper Jones of Ponoka, who played with the Sylvan Lake Gulls of the WCBL last season, will add depth to the infield, which also includes Mason Love-Holman and Chatwood.
Catcher Kyle Belich of Red Deer and Big Bend Community College in the States, has committed while the status of outfielder Anthony Chatwood is still up in the air as he’s looking at the WCBL.
“Overall we do have some good young players coming in which is good for now and the future of the program,” added Chatwood.
The pitching staff will once again be anchored by Edwards and Rees DeRuyter. Kai Poffenroth, Dustin Northcott, Kyle Baumbach and veteran Davin Gulbranson are also all expected back.
Kade Kahlert of Red Deer, who’s playing with the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, will add depth as a starter.
The Riggers will need as much depth as they can get for the Nationals.
“We have a good roster but will look to add a couple more big bats and a couple more arms,” Jaret said.
Both those areas could be strengthened once the Gulls season is over with infielder Cleary Simpson and pitcher Jared Arnold.
“It’s a bit of a tricky situation for us as Sherwood Park gets first pick in adding players, but the kids from Red Deer will likely be with us,” said Chatwood. “It will only come down to when they have to return to their college teams, but in the past most coaches are good in allowing their kids to play in the tournament before returning. We’ll know more after talking with the coaches and players.”
Jaret indicated he wants to add younger players from Red Deer and area.
“We want to add players who will eventually come back and play with the Riggers year after year, rather than just the one year and done,” he said. “We have some excellent younger players in the area. The St. Joe’s Academy is developing some excellent players who are moving on to the college ranks.
“In fact, baseball in the area is continuing to grow, which is exciting.”
Jaret and Curtis Bailey are co-chairs for the Nationals.
“We’re getting there,” he said. “There’s still several things to put the finishing touches on but for the most part it’s fund-raising and finding a few more sponsors and volunteer … there’s always a few little things to finish.
“But with the growth of baseball lately there’s more interest and there’s a lot more people interested in helping.”
Jaret and Curtis are working on the administration side of the tournament until the season starts then Jaret will concentrate on the field activities and Bailey on the admin side of things.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca