The Victoria Jr. Mariners will have a new looking lineup for 2013 but expect to build on their 2012 Provincial Championship. With 16 new faces, the team is preparing to develop and contend for another Provincial Title.

Behind the plate, the Mariners have the luxury of having two athletic rookies, Dylan Werrun and Nick Seginowich. The coaching staff will rely on the leadership of Werrun through out the season. Look for Seginowich to be a staple in the middle of the line up and to drive in runs.

On the mound, the Mariners have several pitchers who will contend for innings on any given weekend. Look for Noah Brasset to guide a promising staff through out the season. Cole Russell, Liam Catto, Brett Irvine, Angus Catto, and Jordan Strandlund will battle for innings through out the year and look to carry the staff. The Mariners coaching staff are hoping to see Kieran Russell bounce back from injury to be a big part of the pitching Staff.

Around the infield, the Mariners are lucky to have a big group of talented ballplayers.  At 1st the Mariners will have Jordan Strandlund. Look for both Jake Bosenceand Nolan Bruce to play both 3rd and 1st throughout the season. Bosence will be relied on to drive in runs for the Mariners. Brett Irvine and Angus Catto will see time at third throughout the summer, while also spending time in the outfield. The Mariners coaching staff has seen great growth in the players that will be playing in the middle. Jeremy Patte and Chris Blaskovichrson will see the majority of the time at shortstop and look to be the table setter for the middle of the line up. Robin Dix, Cole Haddock, and Tyler Schindel will all see time at 2nd base. These three show great work ethic and look to improve through out the summer.
In the outfield, the Mariners have Kieran Russell returning for his second season in left field. Due his experience, the Mariners coaching staff relies on Russell’s leadership and guidance. Kurtis Gamble will see time in LF and looks to gain experience under Russell. In CF, the Mariners will have Sam Glowicki and hope to see the growth of Cole Haddock. Both players will make it hard for opposing runners to take extra bases. Brett Irvine, Liam Catto and Cole Russell will play right field for the M’s and will cut down runs because of their strong arms.

One of our Mariner players, Zack Downey, was admitted into Childrens Hospital in Vancouver last Wednesday November 7th to undergo oncology testing. Zack and family are still there while they await a diagnosis from the medical staff. LVI and the entire Victoria Mariner baseball organization sends out their thoughts and prayers to Zack and family, and are crossing their fingers for a full and speedy recovery.

It is expected that the family will incur considerable costs over the coming days in terms of meals, travel, accomodation and other expenses. To help offset this, the Victoria Mariner baseball community will be setting up several fund raising activities.

First, at a player and family meeting at Oak Bay Rec on Nov 12, over $500 was collected by passing around a hat. That money, along with a signed BC JPBL Championship banner, a poster-sized signed photo of the players winning the provincial title, and several cards will be delivered to the Downeys in Vancouver this week. Thanks to all those that chipped in.

Second, this website will now accept PayPal donations, so families and supporters can make a deposit via credit card into a secure PayPal account. Any and all funds collected will be passed directly to the Downey family.  Please click on the Donate button (on the Mariners website) to make a donation via your credit card.

Next, a bottle drive has been organized for this Saturday, Nov. 17th starting at 10:00am at Lambrick Park lacrosse box/tennis courts. Please canvass your neighbourhoods, businesses, friends or family and bring along all your empty bottles and cans. We will sort them on the tennis courts during the morning and early afternoon. All monies collected will be given to the Downeys. We are working on a flyer that can be sent around in advance of the bottle drive. Once ready this will be emailed and posted on the Mariners site (under Documents) for downloading.

A trust fund is now set up for Zack. You can go into any Coast Capital Savings branch and make a donation. The fund name is Zack Downey and the member number (on the Mariners website).  Please help spread the word to others who may want to donate.

Several other ideas, such as toonie days at schools, a dance, and other events are being discussed. Again watch this site for more details.

Thanks very much for your support in this. If you would like to get involved or have other ideas on how we can help Zack and family, please contact Adrian Somers at adrian.somers@gmail.com or Don Bryan at dsmmbryan@shaw.ca

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Zack and family! Get well soon.
 
[See Mariners website for more information]

The Victoria Jr Mariners come into the 2011 Junior Premier season  with a roster of  17 players, all of which have aspirations of playing college baseball down the road and are talented enough to do so.
 
Behind the plate the Mariners will have three catchers all competing for time.  Evan Willow, Kaelin Norris-Jones and Brandon Ashford all bring different skill sets to the team and will see time behind the plate as well as at other positions.
 
The pitching staff will be led by returning Mariner Jason Johnson, who is back after a successful first year with the Mariners.  Also anchoring the pitching staff will be newcomers Jordan Van Stone, Dan Phillips and Tyler DeMan.  Cody Newberry will be counted on to provide quality innings out of the bullpen as well as in a staring role.  Many other Mariners will also see time on the mound over the course of the season.
 
The infield promises to be strength for this year’s team with steady defenders Chris Fougner, Lucas Piechnik, Drayson Lum and Drew Davidoff playing up the middle.  Brandon Feldman and Jordan Judge will be asked to provide solid defence at the corners, while also contributing with their bats.
 
In the outfield, this year’s team has good speed and should be able to track down a lot of balls.  Returning Mariner Scott Calverley will see the majority of his playing time in right field and will be counted on to provide pop in the middle of the order.  David Warren will see time in centre field and will bring good range to the team.  Spencer Scotney will play both corner outfield spots and will be counted on to be a run producer.