Senior baseball fans are about to get their first dose of action for the season.
The New Brunswick Senior Baseball League regular season begins this weekend.
The Saint John Alpines play their first game on Sunday as they visit the Moncton Mets.
“We’re really keen to get going. We’ve got some new faces joining the team this year and we’re excited to see how that’s going to work out on the field,” President Terre Hunter told our newsroom.
New faces this season
Saint John will have five new faces on the field this season, including three from their junior affiliate.
Among them is Connor Hill, who finished second in the batting race last year, even though he was playing as an affiliate player.
“He was actually signed with the junior team, but he came with us as an affiliate. He played almost every game and did really well,” said Hunter.
Also coming up from the junior team to play for the senior Alpines are Matt Peacock and Jackson Mitchell.
Hayden Dow, who has been away at school in the United States for several years, will also be added to the lineup in early June.
“He’s a big left hand pitcher and he’ll be playing the outfield a little bit as well,” said Hunter.
The Alpines are also signing a U.S. import pitcher who is expected to arrive in the city in June.
Hunter told us the team is preparing for what they expect will be a really strong season.
“Pitching wise, we think we’re going to be in the best shape that we’ve been in for a number of years, and of course, pitching is such a big part of the game,” he said.
Changes at Memorial Field
For Alpines fans, there will be a few changes when they head to Memorial Field on the city’s west side.
The adult admission price has increased to $8 from $7, but kids under 12 will still get in for free.
“So a family of four can come for about 16 bucks and we feel it’s a good value,” said Hunter.
In addition, the team has partnered with several other field users and the city to upgrade the PA system at the ballpark.
The first home game for the Alpines is on Victoria Day Monday against the Fredericton Royals. First pitch is at 2 p.m.
