 |
The 2024 season is nearly upon us and as the Thorold Anchors continue to prepare for Opening Day, it has been the work ethic of the team that has stood out during the winter months. Coming off a 7-17 regular season in 2023, the Anchors fell to the eventual champion Beamsville Yellow Jackets in the NDBA Quarter-Finals in 3 hard fought games last year but the team is hoping to use that as a spring board into 2024. “It was a hard season when you look at the record, but when you walk into the playoffs and play against a team (like Beamsville) and you beat them in Game 1, you realize you belong” said manager Aaron McInnis when asked how the team views the end of last season.
One of the areas that the team will look to improve upon this season is their performance on the road. The Anchors finished last season with a 1-13 record on the road including the playoffs; a record that has not gone unnoticed during the winter. “”Not having the last at bat can be a bit of a pressure cooker and just playing somewhere else is different” said McInnis also alluding to a new road game procedure as well as new road uniforms that the team will be unveiling in the coming days.
Part of the improvement needed for the Anchors will come from developing players within the organization. Without a lot of turnover this season, Anchors will be relying on players such as co-captain Dan Smith and sophomore Drew Timlock to deliver both on the offensive side and defensive side; something that Smith believes hes prepared for. “Good at bats and being smart and active at the plate, theres no ceiling – the vibes are really good and it feels good in here” said Smith following the last spring work out indoors. The team uses the Bulletproof Baseball Academy indoor facility for their winter workouts. As far as breakout sophomore Drew Timlock is concerned; hes not letting his late season surge get to his head. ““I’ve held myself accountable trying to increase my physical shape; trying to be faster, try to be stronger” said Timlock who appears to be moving around better and stronger when in the batting cages. After a late season surge, Timlock finished last season hitting .312 and earning playing time in the outfield.
As far as NDBA standards are concerned the team only dealt with minor turnover from the 2023 roster, with only Luis Rodriguez (St. Catharines) and Ryan Dalley (retirement) leaving the team. McInnis isn’t concerned however, as he believes this opens the door for further development and contribution from his young Anchors, “Couple of young guys on the bench that didn’t get their chances last year. Theres a couple of impactful (bats) there and this will give them a chance to come out and really contribute this year. You take a guy like Dalley out of the lineup and spread those out and you ‘ll see more contributions from different guys”.
On top of the two departing players, the team welcomes Thorold natives Mark Suntz and Carson Eden to the roster for this season. As McInnis says, two players that may be contributors right off the bat, “Senior always comes with a bit of an adjustment so there will be a learning curve but they both have a bunch of speed and heart and they are ball players. We are really excited about these two”
Theres always optimism at this time of year as teams break spring training and head into the season but even the teams long standing co-captain Kevin Hastie notices a different feel year. “Somethings different this spring. Team has been together for a while, some of the younger guys don’t feel like rookies and we came together real close real fast” said Hastie after a hard working final practice.
The team will open the 2024 season in Welland Stadium on Monday May 13th against the Welland Pioneers. As for who is going to be starting on the mound that day; McInnis is keeping that quiet for now. “ The Coaching staff have been back and forth. We are leaning towards one guy and we’re going to keep leaning that way but if you want to see you’ll have to be out on May 13 at Welland Stadium”.
The Team opens its home schedule one week later on Tuesday May 21st at 7:30pm at McMillan Park when they take on the St. Catharines Cobras.
Thorold will also host the Ontario ”A” Provincials Championships once again on August 23-25 weekend.
