It's opening day for the Santa Clara Baseball League's 2017 Regular Season.

There are four games on the docket with the 2016 Champions the Portage Padres in Plumas to open their season against the Pirates.

"They're always a good ball club," says Padres' pitcher Rod McLeod. "They've got some good arms on that team, and they can hit the ball well. We always like going out there to play because they have a beautiful diamond. Small town, but they've done a lot of work to their diamond over the years and it's a fun place to play."

The Padres have been out practicing for a few weeks now and are ready to get some game action.

"We're feeling confident because we have basically the same team as last year," says McLeod. "We're going to have some guys getting some crops into the ground but hopefully they can make it out. We have been out quite a bit recently hitting the ball, taking grounders and fly-balls. We're really just antsy to get going."

Other games tonight include Carberry at Austin, Neepawa visits Minnedosa, and the Ebb and Flow Lakers welcome Dauphin. All four games start at 7 p.m.