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BY THIS WEEK STAFF

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If you're a baseball fan, Riverview is the place to be this summer.

Moncton Mets of the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League are playing their home games on Harold Page Field (behind the Byron Dobson Arena) this year and are looking to draw fans from both sides of the river for what has become a great summertime tradition in Metro Moncton.

Thus far in the season, the Mets have played to a 1-1 record and while the team has a young squad, returning coach Sean Moore is expecting a competitive club throughout the summer.

Returning players such as Craig Betts, Andrew Rinzler and Luc Daigle will attempt to balance out the roster which includes newcomers like Pierre and Simon Boucher and American import Eric Carsner. The Mets next home game is June 7 at 4 p.m.

Moncton Junior Cubs will also call Harold Page home this year, as they look to improve on last year's successes.

In addition to the Mets and Cubs, Harold Page Field will act as the permanent home for the Riverview Weed Man A's of the Southern New Brunswick Intermediate League.

The A's have played to a 2-2 record thus far this season and while expectations on the field are high, the team is also looking to accomplish goals off the field.

"Our goal in 2009 is to build a team that demonstrates integrity, sportsmanship and a competitive spirit that the Town of Riverview can be proud of," said team player/coach Aaron Cole. "We want to be a team the community can rally behind, support and cheer for, making the Riverview Weed Man A's an integral part of the community."

Joining Aaron Cole in the coaching duties is former long-time Moncton Met Jody Cole, who is also acting as a player for the Riverview squad.

Cole spent 16 seasons in the senior circuit and brings with him a great deal of talent and experience.

Other former senior league players who are suiting up with the A's this year are left-handed pitcher Jacques Boucher, catcher Matt Hebert and outfielder Mark Shaddick, who used to play for the now defunct Newcastle Cardinals squad.

They join nine returning players from last year's squad, which played in the league as the Moncton Cardinals. Amongst the returning players is Jon Loughery, who was one of the league's premier pitchers last season and will be joining the club in July after he returns from Australia where he has been playing baseball for the past year.

"We have an outstanding three man rotation that will only get better when Jon (Loughery) gets back," Aaron Cole said. "We have four solid arms in our bullpen and I think we are really going to hit the ball well this season."

Riverview A's will play their home opener at Harold Page Field on Saturday, May 30 in a doubleheader against the Saint John Dodgers, which begins at 1 p.m. Admission is $2 and is free for any minor baseball players who wear their jersey.