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害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 grow and develop as the season progresses.

害羞草研究所淚 see young team that害羞草研究所檚 going to be a lot of work, but they害羞草研究所檙e a good group of kids, so I害羞草研究所檓 excited for this year,害羞草研究所� said Bailey. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e pretty receptive, fairly opened-minded kids who are willing to put in the work with a desire to get better.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 know yet how competitive we害羞草研究所檙e going to be but we害羞草研究所檙e going to find out.害羞草研究所�

The A害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 squad are the likes of Sam Avila, pitching ace Matt Brodt, McCoy Pearce and David Tongue.

Bailey will be leaning on the club害羞草研究所檚 seven returnees for leadership害羞草研究所擜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害羞草研究所檚 core strength.

害羞草研究所淲e have a lot of depth in our starting rotation, some good arms who will throw a lot of innings for us,害羞草研究所� said Bailey.

The A害羞草研究所檚 will play a 44-game schedule, with 20 of those at their home park.

Saturday害羞草研究所檚 doubleheader at Elks Stadium between the A害羞草研究所檚 and Cardinals is set for 2 and 4:30 p.m.

Sunday害羞草研究所檚 games go at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.