For the first time in over a decade the Santa Clara Baseball League will be starting off their regular season without the Minnedosa Mavericks as Champions.

The 2017 season schedule has been released and 2016 Champions the Portage Padres get things going on the road Wednesday night in Plumas.

"We've basically got the same team, and we've been out throwing the ball a bit this year already. We're just really anxious to get out and get playing again," says first baseman Tyler Butler. "Obviously, being the champions everyone is gunning to knock you off, and I don't know if we're the favourites or not, but we'll gladly accept the target if it means we're the champions."

The Padres went 10-1-3 to finish second during the regular season right behind Minnedosa. They knocked off the Mavericks in the final game of the championship playoff series to capture their first SCBL Title. Butler's expecting another tight year of competitive baseball.

"Every game is close right through. You really do have to be ready for each game, and we'll have to be a little extra ready thanks to that target we'll seem to have. We'll probably get a couple more practices in before we start. We'll have a couple guys coming back from school down south and we'll get them back into the swing of hitting and throwing, then get back to the Wednesday and Friday routine."

The Padres are hosting their first ever slow-pitch tournament in June. Butler says it's a great way to kick off the summer and have some fun with people around the community. Find the full Santa Clara schedule here.