The Westlock Red Lions are proud 2017 North Central Alberta Baseball League (NCABL) champions, but aren’t taking anything for granted heading into the new baseball season.
“Last year we had kind of a rough regular season, but we had a second chance at making the playoffs and we took advantage of it. The first step this year is making the playoffs and after that we’ll figure out the rest,” said Chris Brand, the Lions manager, centre fielder and 2017 NCABL Championship Series MVP.
“This season is looking good. We’re ready to get out there. All the snow has nicely melted so we’re just looking forward to facing the Blackhawks in a couple weeks.”
The club opens its season May 15 on the road this year and will be in Edmonton to play the Blackhawks, followed by a May 17 tilt versus the Sherwood Park Athletics. The club’s home opener versus the Edmonton Athletics is slated for 7 p.m. on May 22 at Keller Field.
Last year, the squad won the NCABL championship, sweeping a best-of-three series against the Sherwood Park Athletics at Remax Field in Edmonton, but it certainly wasn’t a given the Red Lions would even make the playoffs.
With an 8-8 season record it was almost the first time the team was unable to make the playoffs since 2010. A three-way tie stood in their way, but with a 4-1 victory over the St. Albert Cardinals the Lions took their first step to the championship and didn’t look back.
“We have pretty much the same core that we won the championship with last year, so with that alone we should be pretty competitive,” said Brand.
The team has already taken the field for practice on several occasions and Brand commended the town for the work done to get the home turf ready for the season.
“I’m just looking forward to being out with the boys again. Baseball season is always fun because it’s just a bunch of brothers together and we like to go out and play,” said Brand.
