One step closer to baseball season
Sooners set to return to the field for training camp in preparation for league play
SYDNEY — “Oh put me in coach, I’m ready to play today.”
Those are the lyrics to John Fogerty’s famous song “Centerfield.” But, after a year away from the baseball field, the words can also describe the feeling of the Sydney Sooners players, who are ready to play ball.
The Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League team hasn’t played a competitive game since October 2019 as the league was forced to cancel its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although some players took part in the Sooners’ competitive draft league last fall, Sydney will return to the field as a team today for the start of training camp in preparation for the upcoming senior baseball season.
“We may have 20 to 25 players who might be coming out for our training camp and we’re looking forward to the possibility of a season this year,” said Sooners manager Jim (Rico) McEachern. “We’re not going to get 100 players come out, we haven’t had that in 45 years.”
The senior baseball league hasn’t officially released a start date, given current provincial restrictions don’t allow for games, but McEachern is hopeful restrictions will be lifted sooner rather than later.
“The league has been very proactive to try and be ready when indeed all the rules will allow us to get back to game play,” said McEachern. “Right now, we’re projecting and we’re hoping the second week in July to get to games.”
Last year marked only the second time in league history there wasn’t a senior baseball season in Nova Scotia. The only other year was in 1984, which was considered a sabbatical year when teams only played a provincial playoff through Baseball Nova Scotia.
“For us to get back, we’re one of the premier leagues and we’re proud of our participation over the last 40-plus years and it’s big I think,” said McEachern. “It’s important — if COVID-19 allows — that we try to get back to some kind of game play this season, especially with us looking to host the nationals next summer.”
Training camp will run today and Thursday at 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. All sessions will be at the Susan McEachern Memorial Ball Park in Sydney. Players interested in trying out are asked to attend.
FAMILIAR FACES RETURN
As part of the pre-training camp preparation, the Sooners will welcome back familiar faces who will take on bigger responsibilities this season.
Cory Christie, a former senior league most valuable player and batting champion who retired following the 2018 season, and Danny MacKillop will return to the Sooners program as playercoaches for the 2021 campaign.
Despite the addition of
Christie and MacKillop, McEachern doesn’t plan on stepping back from the program, but rather sharing the responsibilities in the dugout.
“I think Cory and Danny bring a wealth of knowledge and personalities that complement the players well,” said McEachern. “A big part of their role will be assisting me in coaching and managing leading up to the nationals.
“I’m not walking away by any means, but I’m going to try to designate responsibility.”
McEachern is hopeful Christie and MacKillop will be able to run the bench in August 2022 when the top senior teams from across the country visit Sydney for the national championship.
“I sort of see the nationals where I should not have to lead the dugout,” said McEachern.
Although still preparing for the 2022 nationals, McEachern said he’s already looking toward bringing the Canadian championship back to Sydney for the Sooners’ 50th anniversary in 2026.
DRAFT LEAGUE
Like last season, McEachern said the Sooners will have a competitive draft league this summer and will be targeting players ages 16 to 20.
“We’re looking for competitive ballplayers who want to play in a house league environment where it won’t get too serious, but at the same time it will be a good skilled league,” he said. “I’m hoping this house league will hold some of these kids so they will eventually get the opportunity to jump on with the senior team — almost a lifeline for the Sooners leading to the 50th anniversary.
“I know what we have now and what will be returning and what’s probably going to turn over in the next three years, and if we stay status quo, I won’t have enough bodies to present a quality product if we don’t have that lifeline.”
McEachern anticipates a 16-game draft league schedule over eight weeks with games on Wednesdays and Thursdays which will include members of the Sooners program.
“It will give my guys work through the week in game situations for pitchers, batters and fielders,” said McEachern. “We’re not neglecting the total practice format, but we’re going to be spreading it out.”
A start date for the draft league hasn’t been confirmed, but registration is underway. Anyone wanting to participate is asked to contact McEachern for more information at 902-322-3764.