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The Regina Red Sox are ready to get back into the swing of things.
The Western Canadian Baseball League team is preparing for the 2022 season after two years of inactivity.
The WCBL cancelled its 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 and the Red Sox opted to sit out the 2021 season as a result of COVID-related public health measures in Saskatchewan.
Regina is to open its 56-game regular season May 29 in Swift Current against the 57’s. Two days later, the Red Sox are to entertain Swift Current in their home opener.
“We’re excited to be playing,” Red Sox president Gary Brotzel said Tuesday. “Two years of COVID have been tough on the team and it’s time to get back on the diamond and entertain people.”
Brotzel said team officials feel they made the right decision to sit out last season, but they’re now dealing with a byproduct of that choice: Reminding Regina baseball fans that the Red Sox are still a thing.
“That has been the toughest thing for us,” Brotzel said. “There’s just so much we have to do to let the public know we’re playing again.”
To that end, Brotzel said, the Red Sox have been active on their various social media platforms since announcing they’d be returning to the diamond in 2022.
“We’re on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and we’re posting two (or) three times a day,” Brotzel said. “We’re trying to get our message out as best we can through social media.”
The team’s roster is set and, given that the Red Sox have made the playoffs in all but one of their seasons, Brotzel is confident the team again will make a run for a WCBL title.
They’ll do so again at Currie Field, but they’re continuing their campaign to get a new stadium built at the railyards on Dewdney Avenue.
“Currie Field was built in 1962,” Brotzel said. “It has got pretty much zero amenities. There are poor washrooms (and a) terrible concession (and) the seating’s falling apart. It’s just not up to par with what’s happening in our league right now, especially in Alberta.
“All our counterparts there either have new stadiums or renovated stadiums that hold anywhere from 2,000 to 4,500 people.”
A committee struck to examine the possibility of building the new facility was to meet Tuesday to continue those discussions.
For more information on the Red Sox’ roster and schedule or to buy tickets, visit the team’s website.
— With files from 980 CJME’s Dom Lucyk