Seals slide into spring

The training camp of the Victoria Seals is officially underway.  On Friday, 27-year-old Victorian Charlie Strandlund was invited to spring training with the team after impressing at the local tryout camp.  Strandlund has spent the last few seasons playing senior men's baseball for the Victoria Mavericks as an infielder and pitcher, but he'll be attempting to make the Seals as an infielder.  Strandlund played college ball at the College of Idaho and hit an impressive .397 in 2005.  He has also represented Canada at the World University Games.

The Seals released their full 32-man spring training roster on Friday.  One notable absence is Victoria pitcher Graham Campbell, who struggled last season and posted a 7.36 ERA.  Although it is unclear if any of the Vancouver Island boys (Strandlund, Scott Wallis and Ryan Paterson) will make the Seals, we know that we'll have at least one Canadian to cheer for in 2010, as outfielder / first baseman Colin Moro is guaranteed to make the team.

Manager Bret Boone has the difficult job of reducing the roster from 32 to 22 players by May 21st.  Unlike players in big-league camps, the Seals hopefuls only have 12 days and two formal games to impress the team's coaching staff.  It's going to be an action-packed spring training, so come on down to Royal Athletic Park and check out the on-field workouts if you can.  Here is the schedule for the remainder of spring training:

• May 10: Workout @ RAP - 9 AM to 5 PM
• May 11: Kids Camp (Kamloops)
• May 12: Exhibition Game vs Calgary Vipers (Kamloops)
• May 13: Exhibition Game vs Calgary Vipers (Kamloops)
• May 14: Workout @ RAP - 6 PM to 10 PM
• May 15: Off Day (Community Events)
• May 16: Workout @ RAP - 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
• May 17: Workout @ RAP - 9 AM to 5 PM
• May 18: Workout @ RAP - 9 AM to 5 PM
• May 19: Workout @ RAP - 9 AM to 5 PM
• May 20: Off Day (Media Events)

In the coming days we'll profile some of the new faces that made a surprise appearance on the Seals roster that was announced on Friday.