Happy reading.

10. Rashun Dixon: The Bullet has thrown out runners in three straight games, good enough for the Northwest League lead, one ahead of teammate Tyreace House among others, and is the lone C to hit a HR this year.  He is batting .417 at Nat Bailey this year, in three games.  The 18 year old is one of the top prospects for the A’s.

9. The rest of the Outfielders: Jose Crisostomo in four games is batting .400, and being only 20 years old is flashy and exciting on the field.  El Rey, as we call him (which means The King in Spanish), is riding a three-game hitting streak.

Conner Crumbliss is batting just below the Mendoza Line, but he is in my Top 5 for must-see players this year, after hitting nearly .400 in college, and the fact he leads the league in walks (8), and triples (1).

Tyreace House was featured in the Province (see below), and is the fastest OF I have ever seen at Nat Bailey (no joke), after being Oakland’s 6th round pick last year.

8. Middle Infielding corps: Whether it’s Nino Leyja batting .290, Michael Gilmartin with a pair of multi-hit games, or Ryne Jernigan who is climbing up the league average leaders, Vancouver has one of the best MI groups in recent years, and Jernigan, Leyja and Gilmartin are batting a combined .266. 

7. Promotions galore: With 6 great promotions, and one exciting first pitch, this six-game set is sure to excite all fans, of all ages.  

Tonight it is a Kids Jersey giveaway on A&W Family Fun Sunday, tomorrow you can bring your dogs and pick up an exciting Webkinz golden retriever toy, as well as a Fireworks Extravaganza on Tuesday to bring in Canada Day, a few hours early.

Canada Day is a Nooner with a workout towel giveaway, before a Noisemaker gate giveaway Thursday, mixed in with a special first pitch.

The six-game set concludes with a Nooner and Hot Dog Eating contest on Friday.

6. Great rotation: Tonight the lone lefty on the C’s (Julio Ramos) toes the rubber likely against Wilber Bucardo of Salem, who gave up just one run in his 5 innings of work Tuesday evening against Boise.

Chad Lee (right) could face Jose Valdez tomorrow, a 6′7 RHP who missed last season.

Tuesday night is Joselito Adames, the C’s Opening Day starter, against Orlando Yntema, who is 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA going into this series, having made his NWL debut against Vancouver last season.

Canada Day will be Ricardo Penalba, a good righty for the C’s from Panama, against the second Bucardo on the Volcanoes, Jorge, who has given up just two runs in nearly 10 innings of work this year.

Big Hector Garcia goes Thursday, against Javier Hernandez who intimidates batters with his 6′4 frame.  Batters should tee off Hernandez if they’re not scared, as opposing batters are batting .265 against the 21 year old from Venezuela. 

Friday will likely be a rematch of tonight, although Ramos may be replaced by Pedro Vidal.

5. Home debuts: Three players at least will make their Nat Bailey debuts either tonight or tomorrow, in Catcher Ryan Ortiz, 1B Anthony Aliotti or SS Michael Gilmartin.  

Once more players in Arizona get passports, such as Myrio Richard, Ryan Quigley and Murphy Smith, they’ll probably report to Vancouver, which could be as early as this week.

4. Potential last series at home: With more incoming players than they can hold, potentially the stars of the Canadians could be on their way up soon, including Rashun Dixon, Nino Leyja, Jose Crisostomo, and pitchers Chad Lee and Hector Garcia (left), to name a few.  This would be a great chance to see all starting pitchers this week, as well as those shining at the dish and in the field.

3. If the Province is into the team, why aren’t you?: With a two-page spread on the Canadians today, it looks as though The Province newspaper is into the club, with stories on Tyreace House, and Ryan Ortiz.

Steve Ewen is doing a fantastic job, to go along with Lyndon Little of The Sun.

2. Team 1040 games limited: Only two games are on the Team 1040 this week, tonight and Tuesday, so if you aren’t at a computer to listen to the others online at Canadiansbaseball.com, seeing them in person is the best you can do.  

Rob Fai gives the call to all 6 in-stadium, on the in-game FM station.

1. It’s Salem for heaven sakes: There is no bigger rivalry in the last couple years, other than maybe Everett-Vancouver, for the Canadians than against the top dogs in the division, Salem-Keizer.

The Volcanoes, year in and year out are stacked, and mostly have returning players.  They are up two games on Vancouver for the West Division lead, and they do not come back after this 6-game series, unless there is a rain-out this week (look at the forecast there won’t be).

Tim Lincecum (right) made his pro debut here a few years back, for the same Volcanoes (parent club is San Francisco), and such stars as Sharlon Schoop of Netherlands fame, and Matt Downs who is now in the MLB (two years removed from Vancouver), mean this is your only chance to see some of the best prospects in Baseball.

See you at The Nat.