For the Innisfail Merchants Jr. AAA Baseball Club it's hoped that the third time's the charm.
The local squad, made up of eight Innisfail Indians senior players, is representing Alberta at the Western Canada Baseball Association Junior AAA Championships for the third year in a row in Regina, Sask., from Aug. 8 to 11.
And this year, after twice reaching the finals only to lose the big prize, team players and officials are hoping to bring the championship home.
“A number of players are turning 21 this year and they will be graduating to seniors. We are hoping this year will be their year,” said coach Desmond Bouteiller.
“Our team is mostly made up of the senior Innisfail Indians, and because we don't have junior in Alberta anymore we have to let the kids play in the senior men's league and we get together and compete at the junior level at tournaments and exhibitions.
“We still have some younger guys but we are kind of hoping to take it this year as we have lost in the finals the last two years so we want this year to be the one where we take it.”
Last year the Merchants hosted the western Canadian championship year and while they bested squads from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the local squad lost a heartbreaker in a thrilling extra inning final game to an Alberta all-star team.
In 2011, the Innisfail team lost in the finals during the championship that was held in Winnipeg.
Bouteiller said the team has been practising in preparation for the tournament, including participating in the recent Red Deer Riggers tournament in July, a senior AAA team.
“They have some of the best senior players in the country. It was good for us to have our pitchers see some good hitting. It was a good tournament to get into,” said Bouteiller.
But even if the Merchants don't realize their goal this time, Bouteiller said his team has plenty to be proud about.
“This is another huge accomplishment for baseball in our community as this tournament is usually reserved for cities such as Regina, Winnipeg, and Saskatoon,” said Bouteiller.
