The Corner Brook Barons will host the four-team provincial senior B baseball championship this weekend at Jubilee Field with hopes of earning a berth in the provincial senior A baseball best-of-seven final affair against the defending champion St. John’s Capitals.
Darren Colbourne is back as player/coach for the Barons and he likes the group he has to work with in his desire to bring the senior A baseball crown back to the west coast.
Colbourne got his start with the Barons when stars of the past such as Brian Colbourne and Keith White who taught him the importance of being passionate about the game so he’s hoping this year’s edition will prove to him they love playing the game.
He has some players who have decided to not play this year and that’s fine with him because he wants players to be eager to put on the Barons jersey and understands some people have other commitments.
He is among the veteran players who still have a thirst for the game with time running out on their careers and he thinks that there is a good mix of talent with an infusion of some young guns who are only too glad to compete for the Barons.
Colbourne believes speed will be a factor in the team’s success this weekend with some speedy guys at both the top and bottom of the lineup.
“Speed kills with respect to baseball,” Colbourne said.
More importantly, he believes the guys who are wearing the jersey want to be immersed in a run for a couple of championships over the summer.
“I like this group because we’ve got a good infusion of younger players, but it’s guys that want to be there. That want to play for the Barons,” he said.
The Barons open the tournament Friday night 6 p.m. at Jubilee Field with a showdown against the rival Pasadena Pirates.
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PROVINCIAL MOLSON SENIOR B BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
at Jubilee Field
Saturday, July 16
10 a.m. — Pasadena Pirates vs Mount Pearl Blazers
1 p.m. — Corner Brook Barons vs Peak Performance Training Gander Pilots
4 p.m. — Pasadena Pirates vs Peak Performance Training Gander Pilots
7 p.m. — Corner Brook Barons vs Mount Pearl Blazers
Sunday, July 17
10 a.m. — Final or Tiebreaker
1 p.m. — Final (if necessary)
