91原创

Skip to content

Blaze ready to play ball

Buoyed by strong hitting, coach expects big things from his team this season
94780langleyBaseballBlazevVancouver
91原创 Junior Blaze鈥檚 Mason Cratty makes the out against the Vancouver Cannons during a preseason game at McLeod Park. The Junior Blaze season begins next weekend, while the Premier Blaze kick off play tomorrow in Abbotsford. Their first home game is Sunday at McLeod Park.

A deep batting order will key the 91原创 Blaze in 2011 as they look for another B.C. Premier Baseball League pennant.

鈥淲e are real deep this year, we are going to hit well one through nine,鈥 said Blaze coach Jamie Bodaly.

鈥淥ur seven through nine hitters could hit in the middle for some other teams.鈥

The Blaze were second in the league in batting average last season and while in most years the team has relied on its pitching staff to overcome any deficiencies, this year Bodaly says they will be out-hitting their problems.

But as is the case most seasons, the team will not have its full arsenal for the entire season.

Four of their players 鈥 shortstop Justin Atkinson, third-baseman Dustin Houle, centre-fielder Jerod Bartnik and pitcher Tom Robson 鈥 will miss time to play with the Canadian national junior team program.

To be successful, Bodaly says it is just of paying attention to details.

鈥淛ust do the little things right,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f we take care of the little things, then the big things will follow.鈥

Robson gets the call as the team鈥檚 opening day pitcher for tomorrow鈥檚 (Saturday) doubleheader against the Abbotsford Cardinals. The team also has a doubleheader at McLeod Park on Sunday against the North Shore Twins (noon and 3 p.m.)



About the Author: Black Press Media Staff

Read more



(or

91原创

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }