EDMONTON (AP) - With the youngest team in baseball, no starting pitcher with more than 3 seasons of pitching, and nearly half of the team roster with 1 or less years of experience in the big leagues, the Edmonton Orcas are geared up for a ‘growing' season.

"I'll be honest with the fans here in Edmonton," commented GM J.J. Wurz, "we have a fantastic ball park and the worst record. The Seadome has a great atmosphere, wonderful food, and the great American sport, baseball. Our team is developing as fast as it can, but everyone knows it's a learning process. With this much youth, this method will take a few years. But think, these fans will remember the day when Lee Valdez threw a 20 hitter against the Long Beach Lobsters and how much he's come along since then."

Shockingly, or maybe not so, at 2 and 23 the Orcas are on pace to break their already amazing worst season record of 18 and 144. Manager Robin Yount had this to say when told of the news, "...I'm a manager, for (Pete's) sake, not a miracle worker!"

Despite the statistics, there are some bright spots to track. If you don't have shortstop Dan Strouds' rookie card, go buy it now and have it signed. In 2 seasons since starting every day for the Orcas, he's steadily improved with contact, power, and defense. First baseman Jimmy Snyder, the best hitting prospect in Edmonton's minor league system, is being given a chance to play, at the expense of aging Henry Rodriguez, who was actually opted to the minors and cleared waivers. On the pitching side, everyone knows Lee Valdez, who pitched a no-hitter for Padua High School to win the Ohio State Championships. At the age of 19, he stood on the Orca mound two weeks after he was picked first overall in the Amateur Draft. However, less touted first round southpaw pitcher Kevin Stearns has quietly shown his stuff. With a 2.36 ERA in 4 Games, he's pitched 26.2 innings, given up 19 hits, 1 home run, walked 11, and struck out 4. He's gone deep in 3 of his 4 games, one complete, and has the Orcas only win. "Stearns is the real deal," remarked pitching coach Dave Steib. "You look at the other starters' stats and think Kevin's numbers are a misprint."

It's a long season, so savor each win and enjoy the game - the game of baseball.