Play Ball! time for Associés de Laval

The Associés open the season with a pair of home games, the second of which comes Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 pm, against the formidable Ducs de Longueuil, the league's reigning playoff champions.

Manager Roy foresees another winning season for the Associés. "We're the league's underdogs. Many think our pitchers won't be competitive at the junior level," says Roy, now in his tenth season of managing in the elite league. "We'll be very competitive. We have a solid pitching staff in Rochon, Gagnon, Dahl-Smith, Forbes, Monette, and Carbone. And Trudeau, Lussier and Giroux can also be counted on if we need more pitching," he adds.

Roy has no reservations about his team's chances. "Although we'll probably start slow because players have to become familiar with new positions, we'll play well defensively and we'll hit with authority," he explains. "My only concern is to avoid falling into a slump like we did last year. But this year there'll be a lot more games to play."

The roster remains virtually intact as the Associés have only lost one player from 2007 to age ineligibility. Roy expects good seasons from Nicolas Trudeau and Jonathan Lussier. "If they stay healthy, Steve Charbonneau, Gabriel Thibodeau and Yvan Brouillette will greatly help our success. With the return of Moniz, Gagnon, and Rochon from US College ranks, we're sure to cause a few surprises."

Roy did not have to make any cuts in spring training. Even though several AA players tried out for the team at indoor practices, only one of them, Benoit Taillefer took part in game-action, and this only for the first exhibition of the camp where he was deemed unready for AAA elite play. "We'll start with 16 players, with two more coming at the end of May," says Roy.

All teams will play 50 games in regular season action, with the all-start break coming July 11 in Sherbrooke where the Ahtletics will host the annual classic. Who'll beat out last year's pennant winners, Trois-Rivieres? And who can knock off the Longueuil Ducs in the playoffs? Why not the Associes? "We'll be good." Concludes team president Jacques Continelli.

Photo: Ass

(Photo: Martin Alarie)

Photo:Ass2

(Photo:Martin Alarie)