Take me out to the ball game!

Team chemistry, speed and good defense is nice. Adding a couple of massive sluggers to the lineup would help.

Unfortunately, that is not an option at the disposal of Sudbury Bantam Shamrocks head coach Shawn Paquette. He and his team open their 2015 tournament schedule in Simcoe this weekend, battling in an event that also includes the North York Blues, Ancaster Diamondbacks and host team.

"We've got a solid core that have been playing together for three or four years," said Paquette. "They all know each other. We're not the biggest team, but we've got a solid defensive team."

"Contact with the ball will be a priority," he continued. "This year, it will be a lot of strategic play on our part, hit and run, bunting. Our team is built on speed and defense."

Having worked with the same players for a few years now, Paquette noted that the challenges at the plate are not necessarily technical in nature. "It's not anything in their swing, it's more of a mindset," he stated.

"Stepping up to the plate and being agressive, looking for that pitch where you want it." As for the weekend, Paquette is maintaining a "big picture" outlook. "I'm not too concerned about wins or losses this weekend," he said.

"I want to see us gel together more as a team, and work on the little things." As is the case in almost every level of baseball, pitching will be key with the Bantam Shamrocks, though the man in charge is encouraged by what he has seen from a staff that can run seven or eight arms deep.

"In our two exhibition games against Bishop Carter, our pitching has looked good, it looks solid," said Paquette. "This is the first year for me allowing kids to throw curve balls." As well, dictated pitch counts are in effect, as per the Baseball Ontario guidelines for tournament play.

The Sudbury roster for the summer of 2015 reads as follows: Nathan Paquette, Parker Savard, Julia Jodouin, Brett Melanson, Andrew Gorman, Patrick Thom, Joe Guzzo, Nic Durkac, Cam Docking, Tanner Morrison, Breadan Gobbo and Rilley Dubé.