In 2024, the North Delta Pirates 18U AAA baseball team launched its inaugural season with unprecedented success, marking a historic return to high-performance, midget-level baseball for the North Delta Baseball Association after more than 20 years.
Founded on principles of excellence, teamwork, and personal growth, the team thrived under the leadership of head coach and team manager Paul Goumans, head coach Jeff Stebbings, and assistant coaches Shaun Jones and Michael Stoochnoff.
An endeavour that began with a fall ball season in 2023 and a November-to-January winter training program, the Pirates soared through the 2024 spring and summer season.
The team, consisting of 16 talented young players — seven Grade 10s, two Grade 11s, and seven Grade 12s — achieved a remarkable record of 28-11-1.
They showcased their prowess by securing third place in the BCMBA 18U AAA provincial tournament and capturing gold at the Sussex All-Star Tournament in Kamloops, which featured PBL and top college prep and AAA teams.
The Pirates' season was highlighted by their exceptional pitching and defence, including 10 shutout victories and three no-hitters, coupled with timely hitting.
Their impressive performance was supported by the generous contributions of 10 community sponsors and the dedication of more than 700 volunteer assignments completed by families and parents.
This community support allowed the team to significantly reduce player dues by half, making participation far more accessible than is typical for a high-performance team.
The team also saw a surge in community engagement, with more than 20 new members joining the fan club and extensive media coverage, including more than 70 stories and game recaps.
The successful launch of the www.northdeltapirates.ca website and active social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) helped keep fans connected and informed. The gallery of professional images is credited to talented photographer, Seb Wong.
As the season concludes, the Pirates celebrate the achievements of their graduating players: Brendan Grant, Carson Stoochnoff, Jared Goumans, Kyle Sallinen, Riku Sakuta, Sammy Wong, and Tyler Bernabe. These young men are set to pursue diverse interests in fields like aircraft engineering, business administration, and the humanities at post-secondary institutions such as the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University, BCIT, and Douglas College, while balancing work and personal passions.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Pirates are eager to build on their inaugural successes. Preparation for the new season begins with a fall ball program. The team will also offer an invitation-only winter training program leading into the spring.
Under the continued leadership of Stebbings and Jones, along with new coaching additions to be announced, the Pirates will continue to foster a “team-first” mentality and further develop their players both on and off the field.
Special thanks are extended to Goumans for his foundational work in establishing the team and his commitment to continue to assist the coaches and organization in the coming season. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the North Delta Baseball Association executive team, parent families, and community sponsors for their incredible support with deep appreciation are offered to Doors Galore, Stonemarks, Southridge Building Supplies, and the TGL Group of Chartered Professional Accountants for their substantial support, which has significantly enhanced the opportunities available to young athletes in the community.
