Some of the province’s best teenage baseball talent will be showcased this summer in Kelowna.
The Kelowna Sun Devils will play host to the B.C. Minor Baseball 18U AAA championship, July 27 to 30 at Edith Gay Park.
Eight teams and more than 120 players from across the province will compete for the B.C. title, with the winner earning a trip to Rhode Island for the Prospect Showcase Select Tournament, Aug. 10 to 13.
The Sun Devils, who are headed into their third season at the 18U AAA level, placed fifth at provincials last year.
Devils’ head coach Rob Law said hosting the B.C. championship is a feather in the cap of the program and credit to minor baseball in Kelowna.
“Being awarded the (championship) is a huge step for our program and our association as a whole,” said Law, referring to his team and the Central Okanagan Minor Baseball Association (COMBA).
“In only our second year as a combined association (Kelowna and Rutland) and only our third year at the 18U AAA level, it will allow minor baseball to see all the hard work our executive and membership have put in to becoming a solid baseball powerhouse.
“Developing talent, coaches and having fun in the process at all levels is our association’s number-one goal.”
This year, the Sun Devils have more than 30 players trying out for the team, including 13 returnees.
In addition to the 18U AAA program, the Sun Devils have formed a 15U AAA team for the 2017 season. Jon Pryzbyl and Sean Glendinning are the coaches for the U15s. Derek Renneberg will serve as the pitching coach for both programs.
There are currently close to 50 players trying out for both programs, with the majority taking part in the High Performance Winterball Program which runs until mid-March.