Riggers looking to medal at Nationals again this year

“Obviously every year there’s a little bit of a turnover for some guys,” explains Chatwood. “Maybe you can add some additions to hopefully some younger guys but I think all-in-all, we’re excited with the group that we have and looking forward to getting started.”

Chatwood anticipates the club’s strength’s this year to be its pitching staff, defense, timely hitting and not having to rely on only a couple of players in their lineup.

“We can have a lot of damage in our lineup from the top to the bottom which is pretty lucky for us,” states Chatwood.

He adds this spring’s weather is posing a challenge for all teams throughout the league.

“You’re maybe just a little behind the eight-ball right off the bat just because the amount of time we’ve been outside is so limited for practicing and stuff like that,” laments Chatwood. “We’ve had some good quality indoor practices and guys getting some good reps and excited. Hopefully we can take advantage of this next little bit to get outside as much as we can before the season starts.”

Thanks to winning the provincial title in 2017, the Riggers automatically qualify for the Senior AAA Nationals in Victoria, B.C. again this year where they hope to reach the podium again.

“Obviously going to Nationals this year, that will be a huge goal,” exclaims Chatwood. “Whenever you can get yourself to Nationals and you can put yourself into the final four, it gives yourself a really good chance at hopefully getting that Gold medal. Provincially, you would like to win that provincial title at the end of the year as well.”

More reason for excitement about the upcoming season, according to Chatwood, is the addition of a new team to the Sunburst Baseball League, the Calgary Dinos.

“The league primarily has been in the north, kind of like us and then the Edmonton area,” Chatwood explains. “So it will be nice to kind of get a new team from the south to see some new players and just get some more competitive games in for us. It’s nice with us too being so central, it doesn’t affect our travel too much but definitely nice to get another team and see some new players and different competition.”

With opening day just over two weeks away, Chatwood looks forward to more great support from the community this year.

“We’ve been super lucky to have such good support from the community and surrounding areas as far as people supporting the team and following the team and coming out to watch the team,” says Chatwood. “We’re looking forward for that to continue and ready to get rolling I guess!”

The Red Deer Riggers first game of 2018 is May 15, 7:30 p.m. at Great Chief Park against the Confederation Park Cubs.

For more information, visit the team’s website at ballcharts.com or visit their Facebook Page here.

by Sheldon Spackman

Riggers looking to medal at Nationals again this year

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