The four-time defending New Brunswick Senior Baseball League champion Fredericton Peterbilt DQ Royals will open defence of their championship in a new-look six team circuit on May 28.

The Royals, Moncton Mets, Chatham Ironmen and Saint John Alpines will be joined by two new teams this season, the Hub City Brewers, who will share the Moncton market with the Mets, and a new entry in Charlottetown.

The teams will play a 30 game schedule, with the Mets in Saint John for Opening Night, Thursday, May 27. The Royals will be home to the Chatham Ironmen the next night, Friday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. for their first of 15 home games on the schedule.

Fridays will be Senior night on Baseball Hill, with seven home dates. There are also five Monday night home games on the calendar as the Royals switch from their traditional Wednesday night mid-week home date.

“Wednesday is such a busy night in the Fredericton community,” said coach Jody Peterson. “You’ve got harness racing on Wednesday nights…men’s night at all the local golf clubs…wing night at the local eateries…that 25-55 year old audience that we generally attract…you’re taking away a large percentage of that. We thought Monday being a secondary night would be a good way to kick off the week.”

Royals, who got off to an 0-4 start to the season before catching fire and rolling to their fourth straight league title. They finished third in the regular season standings with a 16-14 record, but swept Saint John in straight games in the best-of-seven semifinal and took five games to subdue the Mets in the final.

Peterson called last season, his first at the controls of the Royals “my most enjoyable season at Baseball Hill since I was a little kid.”

He won the league batting title, with a .539 average and drove in a league high 31 runs. His six home runs were second in the league only to teammate Dave Barr and Serge Vautour of the Mets.

He expects the Royals to be in the running again,  although he doesn’t expect flame throwing righthander Dan Reid (2-2,  four saves, 1.04 ERA) to return after a successful season in Oklahoma.

“He’s dominating down there right now…I can’t imagine somebody isn’t going to want him to stick around for the summer down there,” said Peterson.

He’s excited for the return of catcher Kirk Cornell, a stalwart behind the plate with the seniors six or so years ago. He’s spent the last few seasons playing intermediate ball, but Peterson says he’s been working with the Royals’ pitching staff since Jan. 16. With import Mike Ivey back and recovered from shoulder surgery, Peterson, 35, says his days as a catcher are over.

“I really value that catching position,”  he said. “To be able to have two guys like Mike Ivey and Kirk Cornell to work with our staff…as a coach, I have a huge smile on my face.”

Andrew Estey will get “games here and there” as a catcher, said Peterson, but will likely be used more as an outfielder.

“We’ll find a place for Andrew Estey to play, because he can flat out hit,” said Peterson.

Dan Murphy, who struggled in seven appearances last season, is taking the summer off to spend more time with family. But the pitching nucleus of lefty Josh Collins, righthanded veteran John Burns, Steve McCarty and Jake Waugh will be back.

Peterson remains in charge with Jamie Estey and Mike Lint in the dugout to help.

Tryouts begin April 1. Royals will host a preseason jamboree the week before the season starts.

By BILL HUNT
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