The Mid Island Pirates are looking to improve on an eleventh place finish in the BC Premier Baseball League in 2022. They open their season with a clash against their closest rivals the Parksville Royals. (Mid Island Pirates)

By Dan Marshall

Play Ball

Mid Island Pirates open BCPBL season against local Royal rivals

Apr 12, 2023 | 3:22 PM

NANAIMO — BC Premier Baseball League action is back at Serauxmen stadium.

The Mid Island Pirates open the 2023 campaign against the Parksville Royals on Wednesday, April 12.

Co-owner, co-general manager and head coach Larson Bauck said the team is looking forward to starting up against a long time rival.

“When it’s the Pirates versus the Royals you never have to tell the kids what’s at stake because it’s the down the road rival. Kids are always fired up to play the Royals so there is no extra motivation needed.”

Both teams finished in the bottom three in the 2022 standings and Bauck is confident his team will be improved this time around.

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“You’re always optimistic that you’re going to have a winning record and finish in the top third in the league. Last year we were very young and with everything we went through and finishing the season quite strong you’re more optimistic coming into the spring. However we have to be realistic because they’re kids and you never want to put unneeded pressure on them.”

Bauck believes in building good day to day habits.

“Everything with us is always process focussed. Every game is a challenge and every day is another opportunity to go through the process and get better.”

Mid Island should have five to six new players this year with 70 percent of the roster being Grade 12 students.

“I think we’re in the middle of the age range when it comes to the premier league,” Bauck said. “Last year most of our roster was Grade 10’s and 11’s so the bulk of our roster is returning guys.”

In a typical spring the Pirates will play eight to ten preseason games and this year was no different.

Bauck was pleased to get some reps for the players against different local clubs.

“We played the Coalminers, the Victoria Mariners, Victoria Eagles and the Royals. Our exhibition schedule was pretty good. Pitch counts are where they should be and guys got a lot of at bats.”

The younger aged junior and bantam Pirates are beginning play in April as well.

In 2022 the bantam team was strong and many of those players have moved up to the junior squad.

Bauck said the bantam group will also have a strong returning core.

“As a program the Pirates organization is progressing and we’ll be better all around.”

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