BASEBALL. A few weeks before the start of the season in the Quebec Junior Elite Baseball League (LBJÉQ), the Rocket South Shore of Coaticook is already preparing its return. Several of his best elements have also shown up at training camp, which began a few days ago.
“I’m really happy with what I’m seeing from the guys,” says team head coach Guy Ainslie. It must be said that many of our players are part of a sports-studies program and, therefore, they arrive ready and in great shape. The hardest thing for many is the fact that we still train in the gym. We hope to go back outside soon. »
In its preparatory schedule, the Rocket will face two teams from the senior circuit, the Brock of Drummondville and the Big Bill of Coaticook. He will also cross swords with the best midget AAA players in the region.
The head coach hopes to have a better season than last year. “We need more consistency,” admits Mr. Ainslie. We already have a good step in this direction with the elements that we went to look for during the last repechage. We have depth. They will help us a lot, because they can play in several positions. It will give them more time on the pitch. I will thus be able to give breaks to my regular guys, which I was not able to do last season. »
The Rocket will also return to a more regular schedule by playing every team in the league and not just their division rivals. “It will be good to see formations like those of Saguenay, Trois-Rivières and Quebec. We were eager to play against clubs other than Longueuil, Granby and LaSalle, although we still love them,” he observes.
