Red Sox return to diamond for first time in two seasons

The Regina Red Sox returned to the diamond for the first time in two seasons.

They travelled to Swift Current on Sunday to play their season opener and dropped a 7-2 decision.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Canadian Baseball League cancelled its 2020 season. In 2021, the Red Sox opted not to play due to various provincial rules and restrictions.

Even though it had been two seasons since a Red Sox player has swung a bat or thrown a ball in a WCBL game, manager Jason Veyna likes the makeup of his ball club.

“In a nutshell, our team is going to be pretty athletic,” said Veyna.

“We’re very fast, have a ton of lefty bats, so the lineup is going to flip right to left, left to right, all the way through. We have a very talented young group,” he added.

Players on the Red Sox roster are made up of college students who play throughout the United States in the winter.

The Red Sox finished the 2019 season with a 41-15 record and lost to Okotoks in the championship final.

Veyna thinks his team can potentially replicate past successes.

“That 2019 team was very special along with the 2011 and 2012 teams in terms of talent, and what they were able to accomplish,” he explained. “Those teams set the benchmark on what we look to recruit and how we assemble our team.

“It will be tough to match those teams, but I think we have a ton of bats. We may not have over-the-top pop or power at the plate, but there are some guys with a ton of potential there. I think we’re close.”

After their trip to Swift Current, the Red Sox will return home Tuesday to play their home opener at Currie Field. That game is set to begin at 7 p.m.