As the Delta Tigers prepare to defend their provincial championship this weekend in Chilliwack, the organization also has an eye to the future.
Earlier this summer the Tsawwassen and Ladner baseball associations came together to establish a new college prep program for the 2019 season. Tigers skipper Cam Frick will coach the team along with his current duties with the Bantam Tigers.
Wayne Laviolette, acting president of the Tsawwassen Amateur Baseball Association, was instrumental in driving their association towards the college prep program.
“The Delta Tigers program has grown over the past five years and in our eyes has been a success,” said Laviolette. “We have been working with the Peewee-aged players along with the Bantam-aged players and felt it was a natural progression to move the program into the Midget-age group. Our goal is to offer an alternative option to players looking for high performance baseball at the 18U age group.”
Frick said adding the college prep program allows kids at the Midget level a chance to play at the highest level of baseball in the province.
“The players we are developing, when they reach the Midget level, they leave to go play elsewhere like Langley and the North Shore,” said Frick. “Now they can play in a real grassroots, high level baseball program right here at home.”
Frick said many current and former Tigers have expressed a lot of enthusiasm and excitement about the program.
“I think the prospect of playing with a familiar coaching staff in their own communities is a real draw,” added Frick. ““We’ve had the opportunity to get some more exposure this year by hosting more tournaments, and we have quite a few sponsors on board that are helping to bring down the costs, which is also an attractive factor.”
As for the upcoming provincials, Frick is confident that both Tigers’ squads will have a great weekend.
The 15U AAA tier one team finished with a 25-3 record and won the regular season pennant while the tier two squad finished 16-12, good for third place and a spot in the provincials.
“There is a great group of guys on the tier two team. They were in a very competitive division, but they played very well,” said Frick. “They have a great, deep pitching staff that most tier one teams don’t have. For them it will be making sure that the offence clicks at the right time.”
As for the tier one Tigers, Frick said health will be a key factor.
“The last month or so we have battled through some injuries. With 12 players on the team, every single player plays a key role. I’m looking forward to the weekend. I’m excited to see how both teams do.”
