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乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 grow and develop as the season progresses.

乌鸦传媒淚 see young team that乌鸦传媒檚 going to be a lot of work, but they乌鸦传媒檙e a good group of kids, so I乌鸦传媒檓 excited for this year,乌鸦传媒� said Bailey. 乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檙e pretty receptive, fairly opened-minded kids who are willing to put in the work with a desire to get better.

乌鸦传媒淚 don乌鸦传媒檛 know yet how competitive we乌鸦传媒檙e going to be but we乌鸦传媒檙e going to find out.乌鸦传媒�

The A乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 squad are the likes of Sam Avila, pitching ace Matt Brodt, McCoy Pearce and David Tongue.

Bailey will be leaning on the club乌鸦传媒檚 seven returnees for leadership乌鸦传媒擜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乌鸦传媒檚 core strength.

乌鸦传媒淲e have a lot of depth in our starting rotation, some good arms who will throw a lot of innings for us,乌鸦传媒� said Bailey.

The A乌鸦传媒檚 will play a 44-game schedule, with 20 of those at their home park.

Saturday乌鸦传媒檚 doubleheader at Elks Stadium between the A乌鸦传媒檚 and Cardinals is set for 2 and 4:30 p.m.

Sunday乌鸦传媒檚 games go at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.