The 2010 Victoria Jr. Mariners are entering the 2010 Junior Premier season with the expectation of being one of the league’s top teams.  This team will focus on pitching and team defence, while taking a “small ball” approach on the offensive side.  With many athletically gifted young players, the coaching staff has high expectations for this year’s team.

Catching will undoubtedly be one of this teams strengths as the Mariners return Brandon Rossum and Ty Russell from last years club.  Both Brandon and Ty will be counted on to lead the young pitching staff and to contribute with the bat.  Brandon and Ty will be tasked with leading the team, while working at improving their own skills in order to be ready for the jump to the premier team next year.  Utility man Aaron Hopwood will also see time behind the plate as well as in the outfield and on the mound.

The Jr. Mariners have a deep pitching staff complete with many different looks.  Hard throwers Jackson Allabarton and Jesse Long will be counted on to log many innings while also providing big bats in the middle of the lineup from an infield position.  Strike throwing machines Nathan McKinlay and Jason Johnson will see many innings on the mound and will bring valued consistency to the team.  Left hander Riley Rebitt will see time in both the rotation and the bullpen and will keep the opposing hitters guessing, while lefty Kris Barber will look to contribute to out of the bullpen while giving the team some power in the heart of the batting order.  Jordan Toth will serve as the team’s closer and brings a hard to hit side arm delivery to the pitching staff. 

Seeing time in the middle infield as well as on the mound, this year’s youngest Mariner, Grade 9  Morgan Varley, brings a versatile skill set to the team.  Chris Call and Travis Ranger will also occupy the Jr. Mariner’s infield and will bring speed to this year’s club.  Lucas Lapinski will be counted on to bring some pop to the line up while anchoring third base with his steady glove.

In the outfield Ryan Rufh is looking to make a smooth transition from shortstop to centre field and will be counted on to spark the team offensively.  Corner outfielders Scott Calverley and Alex Niketas bring excellent athletic ability to the team and will be counted on to contribute from both the outfield and from the mound.  Connor Afcouliotis will see significant time in left field and will bring an excellent glove to this year’s team.

The 2009 Junior Mariners are looking forward to another productive season with 13 new faces on the 16 man roster.  Returning grade 10 Mike Shaw will anchor the pitching staff and be a solid contributor with the glove and bat.  Ryan Abraham and Eric Beban the other 2 returnees will also give us pitching and infield depth and leadership.  Also in the rotation is Saskatchewan transplant Cole Holt, who along with Shawn Brand, Aidan Verster, Max Newton and 1st baseman, pitcher Jackson McCuaig give the team the depth to handle the many 4 game weekends that Island teams face. 

Catching duties will be ably handled by the duo of Ty Russell and Brandon Rossum, giving us the opportunity of having both left and right handed hitting catchers in our lineup.  Up and coming Grade 9 Jesse Hodges will continue to develop as an outstanding hitter and shortstop while helping out on the mound when the need arises.

Our outfield will be led by Dylan Anderson in centre with support from lanky Rico Vandermay and speedster Brenden McGee.  Finally power hitting Matt Bridge at 3rd and smooth fielding Sanjeev Kang round out a team that will compete every time out.  The developmental philosophy of the Jr Premier league is perfectly suited to these Premier prospects.

The 2008 edition of the Junior Mariners features an entirely new roster.  After a highly successful 2007 campaign that culminated in a provincial championship the 18 player roster has been completely rebuilt.The 2008 Juniors will rely on pitching depth and solid defense to compete. 

Starters will include Jim Barbour, Mike Shaw, Connor Russell and Stef Jankowski with ample support from Rob Chittick, Eric Beban, Ryan Abraham, Stef deMontmorency, Kyle Norris Jones and Jacob Livant.  Up the middle defensively, Greg Thibadeau and Brody Coulter will turn more than a few double plays while Matt (Boomer) Zupanc will anchor the team at 1st base. 

AAA recruits Garrett Greenwood along with Levi Kerns will provide much needed offense along with catchers Kelly Norris Jones and Jeremy Campbell, two excellent receivers who will be well backed up Kelly Murray, who will be in his first year of high performance baseball. 

2008 should prove to be a year of growth for the Junior Ms and like all Junior Premier teams, the Junior Mariners will provide tough competition in a highly competetive league.

Victoria went through the tournament undefeated to win  the 2007 Provincial 16U Championship this past weekend. The Mariners downed Langley 8-1 on route to their first Provincial Championship.

Many thanks to go out to all the volunteers who made this past weekend a success and in particular Rae Kornberger for the work she and her committee did in organizing this outstanding  event.