Under-16 Astros ready to host nationals

“When you play at that calibre, there’s always a little bit of nerves associated with the big games. Being able to play on our home field, we’re familiar with the fields and the pitching mounds and the batter boxes, I think that’s going to help us out for sure.”

Astros catcher Brett Couture was there for the Westerns and is one of the second year players on the Astros in this edition.

He said in tournaments like these, players need to adjust to playing against unknown teams and quickly develop scouting reports on the fly.

“It’s not like provincials, there’s going to be new guys that we haven’t seen before and they’re going to be really good,” said Couture, who hopes to help some of the first-years out during the tournament. “It’s going to be a good experience.”

Just like in Westerns, the Astros have a lot depth in the pitching position. Smith said his team sports “four strong pitchers,” with “really strong” defence behind them in hopes of keeping their opposition off the board.

Although they’re just bantam aged, the Astros played in the local senior men’s league to get in a few more games and learn a few things. Although there were admittedly a few crooked numbers up on the scoreboard, the Astros learned from the games and went on to have a very productive season when they picked on teams their own age.

“We took a few lumps in the men’s league, but it only made us better,” said Smith. “We did win provincials, we were second at the president’s tournament this year, so lots of good, positive results this year and we’re hoping to cap it off with a national championship.”

Not the only ones

The Under-16 Astros aren’t the only local team playing in a national tournament. The Under-18 Astros are headed to the nationals in Fredericton, NB Aug. 10-16 and the Under-14 Astros will be competing at the Western Canadian Championships in Winnipeg Aug. 6-9.

On the girls side, the Under-18 Aces are heading to Montreal Aug. 2-9 and the Under-16 Aces are Calgary bound Aug. 5-9 for their national tournament.

“P.A. fastball has always been a strong hotbed in Saskatchewan,” said Smith. “This year, we’ve had three of the four boys teams win provincials and a couple girls teams getting right up in there.

“Out of the eight divisions we send to provincials, we’re always in the top three or four, for sure. We have a strong fastball community here in Prince Albert.”

Under-16 Round Robin Schedule

Astros vs. Ontario 1 Chepstow, Aug. 5, 12 p.m.

Astros vs. Manitoba Pimicikamak, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m.

Astros vs. Warman, Aug. 6, 11 a.m.

Astros vs. Saskatoon, Aug. 6, 8:30 p.m.

Astros vs. Newfoundland Eastbound, Aug. 7, 12 p.m.

Astros vs. Ontario 2 Glencoe, Aug. 7, 3 p.m.

Astros vs. Nova Scotia West Hants, Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m.

Playoff games on Aug. 8-9

The Under-16 nationals will be the last event hosted at the Prime Minister’s Park diamonds pre-upgrade and proceeds from the tournament will go towards the diamond improvement fund. The tournament will raise funds for those improvements through raffles, 50-50 draws, admission, food sales and others.

Admission is $40 for a full tournament, five-day pass, or $10 for a single day, round-robin pass or $15 for a championship pass.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

Under-16 Astros ready to host nationals

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