Depth is key in baseball, without question. Having quality players to call on if needed for a variety of reasons is imperative to a winning season in the West Coast League.
“You never know what happens with injuries in particular, but a lot of other things can challenge the roster for the Nanaimo NightOwls and other WCL teams — academics, school changes, innings limits — and you never know when or where they hit you,” said Jim Swanson, GM of the NightOwls, who finished four games out of a playoff spot as a rookie WCL club. “That’s why having local players who can not just fill a position but help win ballgames is important in roster planning and getting us into playoff contention.”
Having the Nick Salahub-coached Vancouver Island University Mariners of the CCBC nearby provides another roster resource for the NightOwls, a team comprised largely of NCAA Division-1 players.
Added, as local signings, are:
RHP Caleb Battye, Vancouver Island University Mariners
