Truro Bearcats

The Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League held its second of three preseason meetings today at Sport Nova Scotia in Halifax. The following are some of the highlights: -- The issue of seven-inning games vs. nine-inning games was raised via a motion from Truro, which expressed concerns about the commitment level of some of its veteran players in playing nine-inning games. The motion to switch to seven-inning games was defeated by a vote of 3-1, with Truro casting the lone vote in favour. The meeting continued with representatives from all teams still in attendance, and Truro representative Bruce Joshua stated if his team’s status was to change, the league would be notified within the next couple of days. -- The league accepted the application of the 2005 Nova Scotia Canada Games team for partial membership, and of the Sydney Sooners for full membership in 2005. The Canada Games team will play a 10-game schedule, travelling to play each of the five league teams twice during the regular season, with results from those games counting in the standings. The Sooners rejoin the league after a three-year absence, with Geoff MacLellan serving as the club’s executive director. Sydney’s coaching staff is expected to be named within the next couple of weeks. -- The league will send an all-star team to the Canadian senior championship Aug. 25 to 28 in Kamloops, B.C. Defending league and Canadian champion Dartmouth Moosehead Dry will place nine players on the roster, with the other four teams providing three players apiece. -- The league is planning a 26-game schedule in 2005, with play expected to begin the weekend of May 28 and 29. The regular season is expected to conclude the weekend of Aug. 13 and 14, with playoffs beginning as early as Aug. 17. The top four teams will make the postseason. If Sydney does not make the playoffs, both semifinals and the final will be best-of-seven series. Should Sydney qualify for the playoffs, the semifinals will be best-of-fives, but the final will still remain a best-of-seven. The league’s final preseason meeting will be held April 30 at noon at Sport Nova Scotia.