CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Kevin Quinn Re/Max Ravens are ready to compete with the country’s best.
The squad begins play at the Softball Canada under-23 fast pitch championship in St-Leonard-D’Aston, Que., on Tuesday.
Head coach Mike Bishop said the expectation is to earn a medal, but he knows it will be a tough task with a strong field in the eight-team tournament.
“(We just want to) have a good week, don't beat ourselves, win a playoff game and try to be playing on Sunday,” he said.
“We’re there to contend,” added Jonathan Arsenault, a pitcher and outfielder. “We’re definitely there to compete. We definitely made a mark for ourselves last year at the Canada Games.”
The core of the team returned from last year’s Canada Games squad. Team P.E.I. finished sixth in Winnipeg, three years after starting a program from scratch. Most of the players joined after growing up playing baseball and many still play both during the summer.
Owen Arsenault has joined the team this summer, giving them another quality chucker for its stable of pitchers.
“It’s definitely great to have another arm,” said Jonathan (no relation). “He’s such a good thrower, is willing to learn and wants to work.”
P.E.I. has also added Ontario pitcher Dominic Mott to its roster for the tournament.
“It’s a marathon. We need lots of pitchers,” Bishop said.
RELATED: Click here for a story from the beginning of the year.
Bishop took over the head coaching duties this year from Mark Quinn after serving as an assistant and pitching coach the first three years. George Weatherbie and Mike’s brother, Steven Bishop, have joined the staff as assistant coaches this year.
Grant Grady has found a home at second base and atop the Ravens lineup after joining the squad.
Bishop said he’s been fortunate to have great team-first players willing to move around the diamond in order to make the team stronger.
“‘Whatever helps this team be better’,” Bishop recalled the response when he asked players to try new positions. “I have a good bunch of guys here and Jonny and Matt (Lange) are among the top two.”
It has provided the team with more versatility than it had in the past and it has a guy like Parker Day in the super utility role.
“He played every position so far except for pitch and catch,” Bishop said.
And while the roles are in place, the team knows it can change on a dime once the games begin in Quebec.
“Mike Bishop is going to put the lineup in accordingly. If you’re hot, you’re hot. If you’re not, you won’t be in the lineup,” Arsenault said.
A year ago, Lange and Ty McAdam both hit well at the Canada Games and were two of the team’s spark plugs.
“He worked at it over the winter in the gym and he improved,” Bishop said of McAdam. “I was really happy for a kid like that. When he hit that home run (against Newfoundland) I near ran the bases with him.”
Unlike many teams heading away to nationals, the Ravens haven’t had a league to play in to get consistent games. It left the team playing exhibition games and tournaments wherever it could find a team willing to play them.
“George Weatherbie has done a tremendous job in getting us games,” Bishop said. “I don't know where he got them, but he got them.”
Need to know
A look at the Kevin Quinn Re/Max Ravens schedule for the under-23 Softball Canada nationals in St-Leonard-D’Aston, Que., from July 31-Aug. 5. All times are Atlantic.
Tuesday, July 31
4 p.m. – Ontario Three vs. Prince Edward Island.
7:30 p.m. – Host vs. Prince Edward Island.
Wednesday, Aug. 1
4 p.m. – Newfoundland and Labrador vs. Prince Edward Island.
9:30 p.m. – Nova Scotia vs. Prince Edward Island.
Thursday, Aug. 2
Noon – Ontario One vs. Prince Edward Island.
Friday, Aug. 3
1:30 p.m. – Ontario Two vs. Prince Edward Island.
5 p.m. – Saskatchewan vs. Prince Edward Island.
Saturday and Sunday are playoff rounds.
