Victoria Seals 2009

[JC Williams]

We have had a fantastic first season. Didn't win a lot of games but the fan support was very high. Bunch of great players and a very good venue. I missed two of the home games and enjoyed the ones I saw - win or lose.
Now I do not understand something and maybe someone can explain it. We lost Hess and Pedrosa to Calgary not long ago and just lost Wilver Perez. Why would that have happened as in my opinion the two fielders were part of the main nucleus of the team along with Arhart, Flowers, LeVier and Hill. I would hate to lose any of the players because we have become almost family but to lose those three..!! It was bad enough when we lost Chris Van Rossum and many of us are hoping he is back in the line up for 2010.

[WallysWorld]

The Parkers will always run a first class operation with the Seals as they did with the Cannons here in Calgary.

[Baseball Dad]

Noticed that. Personally feel that there should be a trade deadline (assuming these players are playoff elgible). I don't like the idea of playoff bound teams picking up players so late. Just my opinion.
Ed

[hot_corner]

Yeah when I saw these transactions they really reminded me of the whole "rental player" process you see in hockey and to some extent MLB. At least those guys will get a chance to play in the post-season, and then who knows maybe they'll be back with the Seals next year.

[Baseball Dad]

Yes, nice for those guys to play post season, maybe not so nice for players losing time/spots to them. I just think acquiring players with a couple of games left for the playoffs should not be allowed. Pretty sure any player acquired after Aug. 31 is inelgible for post season in MLB.
Ed

[JC Williams]

If those three players went to Calgary for a chance at a championship ring then is it fair to the other Seal's players who also deserve one? i.e. Hill, Arhart, Levier, etc. If they had played all year for Calgary then its another thing but coming in at the end of the season.

[hot_corner]

Yep in MLB you need to be on your teams roster prior to Aug 31 to play in the post season, which is why the last couple weeks have been pretty busy in the big show (see the Billy Wagner to Red Sox deal as an example).

I have never been a fan of the "rental player" process in any league. You mention it not being fair to teammates when guys suddenly jump ship and join a contender obviously. It's also a risk for the team making the acquisitions, in this case the Vipers, who already had a fine season going and who knows how these new guys are going to fit in? Team chemistry and all that - could do more harm than good.

Another point, especially in the years I've followed the Vipers, they tend to make lots of roster moves which makes it harder to really get into supporting them. When you come back to the park the next spring and only recognize a handful of players from last year, it's almost like starting over which isn't good for a team trying to attract new fans. In MLB I follow the Yankees, and I've had the privilege of cheering for Derek Jeter for almost 15 years. I think only 2 original Vipers are left, from only 5 years ago...

[JC Williams]

I have to agree. The fans in Victoria got to know the players and what to expect. The only thing that varied over the season was the pitching staff but we don't see them all the time.
If as you say we go back next year to a whole new roster of players then who do we know. We lost Pedrosa this year and when he came back with the Calgary team to play against the Seals he was hardly acknowledged for what he had done with us.
You mention Jeter and for me it was the same with the Montreal Canadians way back when there were only six teams in the NHL. We knew all the players and knew they would be back.
On that note I certainly hope we get back the majority of our players.

[JC Williams]

Saw this morning that the Seals lost two more key players - Jamar Hill and Josh Arhart. However I think Darrel Evans said it very well that players know these leagues are stepping stones to something bigger and we have to let them go. If we didn't then a lot of players would not come to us if they knew they were not able to advance professionally.
With Arhart going then we may get Matt kavanagh as a primary catcher next year and hopefully Van Rossum back in the outfield.

[ChicoOutlawsFan]

I think once they renovate Royal Athletic Park and add more seats, there will be more and more fans coming out to see the Seals. I am so happy the GBL has become a huge hit in Canada, especially Victoria. Kamloops could be next! :)