The Ridge Meadows Royals, much like their major league namesake, are entering the 2016 midget AAA baseball season looking to repeat last year’s feats.
The Royals captured the league and provincial titles in 2015. They went undefeated at the B.C. championships in Nanaimo, including a 2-1 victory over the Kamloops Riverdogs in the title game.
The Royals were named B.C. Minor Baseball’s “Team of the Year” in February, the second time in six seasons.
“This team showed commitment from Fall Ball in 2014 right through the end of the summer of 2015,” reads the award presentation. “From the beginning, it was clear that this was a special group who had a chance to achieve great things. After having only one player graduate from the 2014 team, the 2015 edition was full of experienced players who had a strong desire to work as a group to obtain a common goal.”
The Royals finished with an overall record of 69-19-3 last year.
“They showed incredible consistency with their ability to play at a high-level over such a long season. The team never stopped improving and saved their best baseball for the end of the season. These players and coaches all bought in to the common goal, and pushed each other to improve and work hard. This is a group who Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball and BC Baseball should be proud to be associated with. They are testament to what can be achieved through dedication and hard work.”
It is something general manager Nor Ljunggren said the coaching staff preaches.
“Our coaching staff, led by manager Mack Whitford, tries to set a good example for the players by demonstrating a strong work ethic and dedication to the team. They demand a lot from the players, but they also demand a lot of themselves,” he said. “In addition, we have a good core group of players who have been with the program for a few years now and know what to expect. They understand what it takes to be successful, and their work ethic sets an example for the younger players.
The Royals are 4-1 in the preseason so far, falling 9-8 to Aldergrove on Tuesday.
They previously defeated the Langley Jr. Blaze 3-2, Cloverdale Nationals 10-4 and Tri-City Indians 10-0 and 7-5.
Just like last year, Ljunggren doesn’t expect this team to have trouble scoring runs.
“Last year we led the league in runs scored, and we expect that to continue in 2016,” Ljunggren said. “We have a lot of the key members of our lineup returning, and have added some very dynamic players to the team this year. In addition to hitting for power, we have a good deal of team speed this year which will allow us to score runs in a number of ways. We expect big things from our offence this year.”
As for returning players, Ljunggren said the Royals have a number of players who are expected to have big years at the plate.
Shortstop Kyron Smith will hit near the top of the order and brings a solid combination of on-base ability and speed. He can produce in a number of ways and is a key weapon for the offence.
Outfielder Nick Peters brings power to the middle of the order, while catcher Brayden Slaughter brings extra-base power and on-base abilities.
Newcomer Jonah Weisner, a second baseman, has impressed early from the left side.
Other players expected to produce offensively are Josiah Williams, Tyson Floris, Brett Hoogstins, Seth Injates, and Colton Beard.
“This is a very deep team offensively that doesn’t have to rely on one or two players to carry them,” Ljunggren said.
On the mound, the pitching staff will be led by returning ace Injates and newcomer Chad Weststeyn. “These two should be able to match any teams’ top two in the league,” Ljunggren added. “Seth works off his fastball, while Chad uses all of his pitches to be affective.”
The pitching staff will be rounded out by Robert Gibson, Floris, Hoogstins, as well as a few others.
The defence will be strong up the middle.
Slaughter will be the starting catcher, entering his third year with the team.
“He has improved every year and he does a great job of limiting opponents’ running games,” Ljunggren said.
Smith will make the transition from second base to shortstop this year, and has looked impressive in the preseason, Ljunggren said.
Williams and Nick Peters will anchor the outfield defence, along with Injates when he is not pitching.
They will all get some work this weekend as the Royals host a tournament at Hammond Stadium and Larry Walker Field, starting Thursday. The event will feature 10 teams from B.C. and Alberta and finish on Sunday.
“It should be a really good weekend of baseball, weather permitting,” Ljunggren said.
The Royals start the regular season, and their path to repeat, on Saturday, April 9.
B.C. Minor has decided to tier the midget AAA division this season.
The Royals are one of eight teams in the top tier, along with the Chilliwack Cougars, Nanaimo Buccaneers, Vancouver Mounties, West Kelowna Diamondbacks, Cloverdale and Kamloops.
They will play a 42-game league schedule, which will see each team play every other team six times. The playoff format will be a best-of-three during the first weekend, with all four winning teams advancing to a Final 4 round-robin tournament.
“We feel as though we have a team that can once again contend for the provincial title in 2016,” Ljunggren said. “Not only are we returning five key players from last year’s team, but we have brought in a solid group of newcomers who have bought in to the coaching staff’s teachings and are on board with what we are trying to do. Our goals will remain much the same as last year: to win the regular season title and provincial championship.”
This is the third year since the Royals rejoined the AAA ranks.
Ljunggren said the association feels the program is beginning to develop to the point where it can be competitive every season by developing players and instilling a strong work ethic in all players.
“There has not been a repeat provincial champion in over a decade, so being able to accomplish that goal would be an amazing achievement for this group.”
Bantams to host B.C.s
B.C. Minor Baseball announced last week that the bantam AA Royals will host the provincials this season.
The event will bring teams from all over the province and take place during the August long weekend. The winner of this event will represent B.C. at the Western Canada Championships.
The bantam AA Royals, as the host team, automatically qualify to compete in the provincials.
