Neepawa Cubs looking forward to start of Santa Clara Baseball League season
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- Published on Friday, May 13, 2016
Banner file photo. The Neepawa Cubs are optimistic about their chances to compete with the top teams in the Santa Clara Baseball League this upcoming season.
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
There’s a sense of optimism around the dugout of the Neepawa Cubs this season. That’s because the Santa Clara Baseball League (SCBL) team will likely be fielding one of its most competitive squads in quite some time.
Last year, the senior AA club finished the 2015 SCBL season in sixth place and fell in the first round of the playoffs to the Carberry Royals. But Cubs player/coach Scott Newton said the team believes this year, the results will be different, due to circumstances surrounding the Manitoba Senior Baseball League. Earlier this year, officials with the MSBL announced the league was taking a one-year hiatus. Newton said while losing the MSBL was disappointing, it has created new competitive opportunities for the Santa Clara league and specifically the Cubs.
“We are looking forward to getting the season underway. We’ve had a few practices already and everyone is eager to get into the games,” said Newton. “While the core of our team is very similar to last year, there are a few additions from the Farmers, which will help things. There’s likely four or five new players and a few of the younger guys that have played on both teams previously that will be able to play full-time with us. I expect we’ll consistently have about 15 available players this year. That’s up from the past, so to have that type of roster flexibility, it’s a real good position to be in.”
Newton noted that former Farmers Garrett Rempel and Matt Snessby are two full-time additions that will be a positive for them. He did add however, that the Cubs are not the only beneficiary, as many other clubs are also adding former MSBLers to their rosters. That, Newton believes, will only make the league better.
“It’s going to be very positive for the entire league, because everyone has an example of that. It’ll affect everybody a little bit,” Newton said.
This season, the Santa Clara Baseball League will feature eight clubs, as the Cubs will compete against the 10-time defending champions Minnedosa Mavericks, the Carberry Royals, Plumas Pirates, Portage Padres, Austin Athletics, Ebb & Flow Lakers and the Dauphin Brewers. The first game of the season for the Cubs has been scheduled for May 18, against Minnedosa. Neepawa’s home opener will be on Wednesday, May 25.
