The Mid-Island Pirates are on the field training but aren't allowed to play other teams outside of their own organization. (Mid-Island Pirates website)

By Dan Marshall

Boys of Summer

Mid-Island Pirates working on skill development, still waiting for games

Jul 30, 2020 | 6:24 PM

NANAIMO – It’s been almost one year since the Mid-Island Pirates finished an incredibly successful 2019 Premier Baseball League season.

There was plenty of optimism for the senior Pirates in 2020 after a franchise-best 38-10 season.

In the face of COVID-19, the Pirates program is moving ahead with drills, practices and scrimmages within their own organization.

Senior Pirates coach Larson Bauck said competitive games are still not in cards, but his players have settled into a routine.

“Basically it’s practice three times a week and intersquad play once a week. You mix as much new stuff in as possible and you focus on personal development.”

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COVID-19 scuttled the start or the season in early April and after a short layoff the players have gotten back to the field.

Seven graduating players, including catcher Connor Caskanette were expected to be at US colleges in September.

The 18-year-old could be selected in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.

All seven have deferred until the spring of 2021 and will continue to work on their skills with the Pirates in Nanaimo.

National team scouts were in Nanaimo recently to watch Pirates players, including Caskanette, for possible selection in future events.

New for the team in 2020 are upgrades to Serauxmen stadium, including new lighting.

Bauck noted the lights would allow for two and a half to three hours of extra practice time nightly in late summer and early fall.

The lights could still be used for game action in 2020.

Mid-Island does have a plan for some games against other PBL clubs and a trip to a tournament in Kelowna if health guidelines allow.

Until then, the Pirates are offering some other programs including a youth camp on Aug. 21.

“We’re working with Minor Baseball and putting on camps to keep kids going in baseball and keep them active,” Bauck said. “We try to do as much as we can for the local baseball community.”

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77