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SYDNEY MINES, N.S. — It wasn’t the way the Cape Breton Ramblers hoped to finish the 2022 Canadian Senior Little League Baseball Championship on their home field in Sydney Mines last season.

After a successful week, which saw the team secure its spot in the national final, the Ramblers watched as Diamond Academy of Quebec celebrated an 8-0 victory in the championship game.

This week, the team will look to turn the tide and put the past behind them when they travel to Ottawa to play in the 2023 Canadian Senior Little League Championship.

Cape Breton, which is made up of 16-year-old players, will be faced with early adversity in the tournament when they open the event on Monday against the host East Nepean at 6 p.m. Atlantic time at Hamilton Yards.

“I’m sure they will not be able to compare to the fans that we had in Sydney Mines last year,” said head coach Sheldon Burke. “The guys are used to playing in front of crowds, but our goal is to take the crowd out of the game early from our first at bat.”

In preparing for the national tournament, the Ramblers have played in the Baseball Nova Scotia under-18 ‘AA’ Bluenose League against older teams. The club sits in second place in the league with a 6-2 record.

CAPE BRETON RAMBLERS SENIOR LITTLE LEAGUE ROSTER

– Blake Herve – Sydney

– Matthew MacIntyre – Coxheath

– Cohen Harries – Sydney

– William Stonehouse – Westmount

– Liam Pierce – Coxheath

– Shane Viva – Sydney Mines

– Hunter Doucette – Sydney Mines

– Andrew LeBlanc – Sydney Mines

– Kody Hatcher – North Sydney

– Vance McPhee – Glace Bay

– Gavin Rector – Sydney

– Dylin White – Glace Bay

– Brody Walker – Glace Bay

Coaching Staff:

– Head Coach – Sheldon Burke – Glace Bay

– Assistant Coach – Blair Herve – Sydney

– Assistant Coach – Ian Harries – Sydney

Speaks volumes

Burke believes the Sydney Mines-based team’s success in the league speaks volumes going into the national tournament.

“It tells you that they’re a hard-working team and they know how to put up some gutty performances,” said Burke. “We hope that continues when we go away for the nationals.”

The team will have five returning players from last year’s roster — including Dylin White, Shane Viva, Blake Herve, Hunter Doucette and Kody Hatcher.

Seven of the club’s 12 players have no experience at the national level.

“They are the guys who keep the other guys pretty calm,” said Burke. “They know what has to be done and they know what’s expected of them and they are the ones who lead the team.”

The Cape Breton coaching staff consider the team to be well-balanced in all aspects of the game.

“We have a lot of speed on the bases, we’re a very fast team, but overall we’re balanced,” said Burke, noting the team has scored “tons of runs” so far this summer.“There’s no power-hitters on the team, but they are contact hitters and we’re doing really good when it comes to that this season.”Ace pitcher

On the mound, Shane Viva has had strong campaign and is believed to be the club’s ace pitcher.

“He’s probably pitching the best for us this season,” said Burke, who didn’t say who his starter would be on Monday.

“We have some hard throwers and some great guys who can come into the game in relief.”

The team has upwards of 10 players who at any given time can be called upon to pitch in any situation, said Burke.

“We’ve sat down as coaches and we’re going to make sure that nobody is going to be pitching too much,” he said.

“We have enough arms that can go long into the game and we have enough quality pitchers who are going to get in there and help us out.”

CAPE BRETON RAMBLERS NATIONAL SCHEDULE

– Monday – 6 p.m. – Cape Breton vs. East Nepean (Host)

– Tuesday – 1 p.m. – Cape Breton vs. British Columbia

– Wednesday – 2:30 p.m. – Cape Breton vs. Alberta

– Thursday – 11 a.m. – Cape Breton vs. Quebec

– Friday – 11 a.m. – Cape Breton vs. Ontario

– July 23 – 2 p.m. – Semifinal

– July 23 – 6 p.m. – Semifinal

– July 24 – 2 p.m. – Bronze Medal Game

– July 24 – 6 p.m. – Championship Game

*Note: All games will be played at Hamilton Yards in Nepean, Ont. All game times are Atlantic. 

Following Monday’s game, Cape Breton will be back on the field on Tuesday at 1 p.m. against British Columbia, Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. against Alberta, and Thursday at 11 a.m. against Quebec.

The Ramblers will finish the round robin on Friday at 11 a.m., when they take on the Ontario representative.

“We’re going there to play our game and win ball games,” said Burke. “If we’re down in games, the kids never get down on themselves and we need that to continue this week.”

The semifinal games are scheduled for July 23 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., while the bronze medal and championship games are slated for July 24 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. respectively. All game times are Atlantic.

This year’s tournament will mark the first time since 2019 the Ramblers won’t host the national event. The tournament was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeremy Fraser is the sports reporter for the Cape Breton Post. Follow him on Twitter @CBPost_Jeremy.