Fans and players showed excitement during the media day event hosted by the Sylvan Lake Gulls on May 24 in preparation for its Western Canadian Baseball League season and home opener.
Being around the community the excitement has been something else, Sylvan Lake Gulls President and COO Aqil Samuel said.
“Just being around Town and people are wearing Gulls gear, asking how the team is looking, and asking about tickets. After a long winter, the Home Opener can’t come soon enough”
The first few practices are about getting players together for a full summer of baseball, Samuel said.
“We won’t have all 30 of our roster here for the opening weekend, it’s just the nature of Summer-Collegiate baseball as the US schools are still in their playoff rounds.”
No longer being the new kids on the block the team is looking for a season win, coach Jason Chatwood said.
“We got an experienced group of guys with some key returners and it should be a fun team.”
There is also the opportunity for some decent matchups with a mix of right-handed and left-handed pitchers on the roster, Chatwood said.
“We have a couple of lefties that are very very solid and they are going to have a huge role in our season.”
Returning Gulls pitcher Ty Boudreau, is excited to be back on the mound.
“I’m excited and I’m ready to pitch.”
With Boudreau on the mound, other pitchers like Red Deer’s Jared Arnold expect to be working out of the bullpen.
“While Ty is on the mound I will most likely be in the bullpen,” third-year returning player Arnold said.
“Last year our pitching was really good and I feel like if we have some good hitting we’ll be able to get the job done of getting a season win.”
While the team hasn’t had many practices yet the players feel ready to go.
“We all came here from playing in school so I think we are all right and ready to go. I’m excited and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Houston, Texas native Hagan Barcello, who pitches and plays first base.
Excitement isn’t just high for returning players but also for new ones like Cole Huebner.
“This is the highest level of baseball I’ve played so far so it’s really exciting and an awesome experience getting to play on a team at this level of ball.”
During the event, Wednesday, some of the upcoming theme nights which are planned for the season were also announced including the Sea of Gold for the home opening game.
“We have nine theme nights this year and wanted to do something special for opening night. If fans don’t have gold gear maybe they have some Elvis or Vegas garb for Vegas night on June 17 or Hawaiian shirts for Hawaiian night on July 22,” Samuel said.
While club seats are sold out some general admission tickets are still available.
The Sylvan Lake Gulls are ready to go for the home opening game starting at 7 p.m. May 26.
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