The Molson provincial senior B baseball championship being held in Corner Brook this weekend is really more of a qualifier or lead-in to the provincial A event which will determine the 2017 all-Newfoundland winner.
The host Barons, Mount Pearl Blazers and Stafford’s Welding Gander Pilots will play a double round-robin schedule beginning Friday leading to the championship game between the top two finishers on Sunday. The winner will advance to take on the defending provincial senior champion St. John’s Capitals in the A final.
The Capitals have won 16 of the last 17 provincial titles, taking last year’s A final by sweeping Corner Brook.
Sean Mitchell, the new head coach of the Barons, said he expects his players to compete at a high level regardless of what title is on the line.
Mitchell, a former Barons infielder, wants his players coming to the field focused on nothing but baseball. He feels the Barons haven’t had much success in the last number of years because they didn’t have the same commitment as the opposition.
“You’re not at the field for a good time and having a few beers with the boys. You’re here to play baseball,” said Mitchell, who makes it clear that getting another crack at the Capitals should be his team’s single focus.
With files from The Western Star
