Just back from a spring training trip to Florida and a 1-1 start to the regular season the Mid Island Pirates are hoping to be a playoff team in 2025. (Dreamstime)

By Dan Marshall

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Apr 5, 2025 | 8:38 AM

NANAIMO — The Mid Island Pirates have had a hectic start to their season.

A spring training trip to Florida saw the team return to Vancouver Island on Mar. 29, just one day before an opening day double header in Parksville.

Coach Pete Entwistle was proud of his team’s effort despite a difficult travel schedule.

“The kids really bonded well down in Florida. We have a good tight group with a ton of talent and we’re looking forward to the season. In Parksville we lost a tough one in extra innings in game one but the group bounced back in game two. It was a good way to handle adversity so early in the season.”

In 2024 the Pirates had a disappointing 7-31 regular season record but Entwistle expects the team to be much better this year.

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“We’re always trying to make improvements every day but the goal is to make the playoffs. Once you get your foot in the door anything can happen in a short series. We have a strong pitching staff and when we play to our capability I think we can be competitive and beat anyone in the league.”

The Pirates have one player still in Grade 10 while the rest of the squad is in either Grade 11 or 12.

Entwistle said some players already have plans to continue their baseball beyond high school.

“One of our players, Noah Drew, is going to the University of Lethbridge to play at the Prairie Baseball Academy. Reed Sutton will be heading down to the University of Pikeville where the new coach of the Nanaimo NightOwls Cody Andreychuck is based out of. Joe Madill will play at Cochise College in Arizona.”

While the last regular season was difficult the Pirates did have a strong showing with a second place finish at the U18 nationals in Newfoundland in August.

Entwistle hopes the way the players came together on that trip will help team chemistry for the 2025 BCPBL campaign.

Entwistle’s players have a relatively short season from April to July but in order to have success it takes a year round commitment.

“Whether its in the gym, weightlifting or practicing 2-3 days a week through the winter our players mean business. They’re trying to get better and move on to that next level.”

The Pirates have a pair of road double headers against the league’s Victoria teams on Apr. 5 and 6.

Mid Island visits the Eagles on the Saturday and the Mariners on the Sunday.

The team then has a bye week before the hope opener against the Victoria Eagles on Apr. 19.

“Opening day the vibe is always fun,” Entwistle explained. “There’s always pregame music going on. The kids are going to be jacked playing in front of their family and friends and fingers crossed the weather is good.”

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