If the Wilkie Brewers don’t get off to a dominant start in the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League this season, that might be just part of the plan for the defending league champions.
“Usually for our team, we have a number of farmers on the roster so it’s tough for them to make the practices in the early part of the year,” Brewers catcher Ryan Cey said. “Once the middle of June arrives, everything is seeded on the farms and the guys have a better idea of what their schedules are like.
“I think our start will be pretty similar to what it was last year. It will be a tough start but our goal is to be around .500 once everyone is settled in and then be playing our best baseball heading into the playoffs.”
The Brewers are coming off of an impressive 2016 season that saw them come away with a pair of titles.
They captured their second straight provincial championship in August as they took home the Senior AA Tier 3 trophy with a 10-3 win over the Unity Cardinals in Rosetown.
A few days later, the Brewers captured their first NSRBL crown since 2008 with a clean sweep over the Standard Hill Lakers in the league final.
“The way the guys came together over the last couple of months of the season was really impressive,” Cey said. “When the big games came up on our schedule, everyone stepped up their game.
“Our defence was strong, our pitching was very impressive and our bats started to come alive, which had been a bit of a problem for us early on in the season.”
The Brewers will be without three familiar faces from their championship squad, as long time players Bye Braun, Aaron Sittler and Jason Schell have all stepped back from the team.
“Those guys will be tough to replace but we have a few guys like Derek and Ryne Keller that were getting out of retirement that should help us out,” Cey said.
It still remains to be seen just how the rest of the league will look when it comes to the main title threats, but Cey expects the NSRBL to have a number of strong sides.
“The Standard Hill team that we beat in the final was a pretty young group that’s heading in the right direction,” Cey said. “I think they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
“There are some rumblings that Unity has added a few important players to their squad and you always have to worry about the Lloydminster Twins.”
The Brewers will open their title defence in Wilkie Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., as they’ll take on the newly formed North Battleford Trappers
“Having them with the Beavers is going to be really good for the league,” Cey said. “I think you’ll see a pretty spirited rivalry between everyone.”
The NSRBL season gets underway Wednesday night as the Lakers host the Edam Blue Sox.
There is also a game set for Thursday evening as the Cardinals pay a visit to the Mervin Flyers.
