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鈥檚 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鈥檚 grow and develop as the season progresses.

鈥淚 see young team that鈥檚 going to be a lot of work, but they鈥檙e a good group of kids, so I鈥檓 excited for this year,鈥� said Bailey. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e pretty receptive, fairly opened-minded kids who are willing to put in the work with a desire to get better.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know yet how competitive we鈥檙e going to be but we鈥檙e going to find out.鈥�

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

Bailey will be leaning on the club鈥檚 seven returnees for leadership鈥擜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鈥檚 core strength.

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

The A鈥檚 will play a 44-game schedule, with 20 of those at their home park.

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

Sunday鈥檚 games go at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.