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Orioles prepare to take flight
The Pembina Valley Orioles and St. Boniface Legionaires play a doubleheader this Sunday to get the 2008 Manitoba Junior Baseball League season underway.
By Donald McLeod
For The Times
Friday May 09, 2008
The Pembina Valley Orioles and St. Boniface Legionaires play a doubleheader this Sunday to get the 2008 Manitoba Junior Baseball League season underway.
And while coach Brent Laverty is happy with what he has seen so far on the diamond from his players, the former Oriole has worries about the the club on the sidelines and off the field.
Not only is some financial aid critical to the Orioles future but he said some help on the bench is needed as well. He was still looking for an assistant coach and scorekeeper to help out. He has been getting some help but needs more.
“We were supposed to send someone to a scorekeeping clinic this weekend. I felt it was more important to be here for workouts,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Orioles held workouts Saturday and Sunday and were also on Buhler Field the previous week. Laverty was satisfied with the number of players who showed up.
“We had about 22 out. There were four or five missing who are still at college,” he noted.
After workouts this past Sunday, the Orioles were down to 14 players on the roster. There are also a half dozen or so midget-level players who will be used during the season as well.
He feels the Orioles will field a pretty good unit this year.
“We will have Chad Moffat, Anthony Friesen, Jeff Sutton and Pierce MacDonald coming back. They won’t be here for our first games but should be for our home opener.”
The Orioles played an intra squad game last Sunday afternoon, which gave Laverty a better idea as to which players deserved spots on the roster.
The Orioles were going to be on the field at least once this week to get in some practice for their first action of the season. They will then be on the field Wednesday to get in some more practice time to prepare for their home opener Mon., May 19 against the always strong Elmwood Giants.
And Laverty encouraged people in the community who are interested in the Orioles to show their support for the team.
If you are unable to commit time to helping the club, financial assistance to help with such costs as the league registration fee and other operating expenses would be greatly appreciated.
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