In 2017, youth will be the operative word for the Okanagan Athletics.

The youngest team head coach Evan Bailey has had since taking the helm eight seasons ago, the A香蕉视频直播檚 open the new campaign this weekend at home to Abbotsford.

With six 15-year-old players and just three seniors on the roster, Bailey and his staff will have plenty of teaching to do over next several months. Still, Bailey looks forward to seeing the A香蕉视频直播檚 grow and develop as the season progresses.

香蕉视频直播淚 see young team that香蕉视频直播檚 going to be a lot of work, but they香蕉视频直播檙e a good group of kids, so I香蕉视频直播檓 excited for this year,香蕉视频直播� said Bailey. 香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e pretty receptive, fairly opened-minded kids who are willing to put in the work with a desire to get better.

香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 know yet how competitive we香蕉视频直播檙e going to be but we香蕉视频直播檙e going to find out.香蕉视频直播�

The A香蕉视频直播檚 are coming off their best regular season ever, posting a 30-14 record in 2016, then finishing third at the provincial championship.

Gone from last year香蕉视频直播檚 squad are the likes of Sam Avila, pitching ace Matt Brodt, McCoy Pearce and David Tongue.

Bailey will be leaning on the club香蕉视频直播檚 seven returnees for leadership香蕉视频直播擜ustin Brown, Dylan Faulkner, Cole Van Every, Kade Kozak, Keaton Mandryk, Colton Schaper-Kotter and James Fischer.

Brown, Van Every, Kozak and Mandryk will anchor the pitching staff which Bailey expects to be the team香蕉视频直播檚 core strength.

香蕉视频直播淲e have a lot of depth in our starting rotation, some good arms who will throw a lot of innings for us,香蕉视频直播� said Bailey.

The A香蕉视频直播檚 will play a 44-game schedule, with 20 of those at their home park.

Saturday香蕉视频直播檚 doubleheader at Elks Stadium between the A香蕉视频直播檚 and Cardinals is set for 2 and 4:30 p.m.

Sunday香蕉视频直播檚 games go at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.