Less depth, more versatility.

That's the situation currently facing the Senior Red Sox, who kick off their season tomorrow (Saturday) at Brian Best Park.

Coming off a 2007 campaign that saw them capture their first-ever COBA championship and win their first game at the 'A' Eliminations, Milton has a number of big question marks right now -- not the least of which regards their traditionally reliable pitching roster.

The Red Sox may be hit hardest in this department, with five members of last year's staff expected to be gone. Most notable among that group are Adam Finkbeiner and Adam Ahearn, who'll likely be lost to recently-developing arm trouble and work commitments respectively.

"That'll leave us with some big holes to fill," said long-time manager George Moore.

However, Milton has a number of junior graduates who appear capable of delivering some quality innings, including Guelph Silver Creeks product Chris Slack and Derek Howe, who recently moved to town from Ottawa.

Throw in returnees Ian Zettle, Tyler Wilson, Mike Grabaukas and Steve Spiers and the Red Sox' pitching -- while not as deep -- should certainly be solid.

Said Moore, "These new guys have all played at a high level that I don't expect them all to bomb out."

Milton has some major losses in the field as well, with centre fielder Nick Aalbers probably gone to work commitments and utility slugger Jeff MacLeod slow to heal from ankle surgery. Furthermore, both Ryan Davison and Kevin Wilson have retired.

Among the more encouraging of their replacements is Kitchener's Carlos D'Costa, an NCAA Division 1 graduate who can play three different positions -- including catcher.

In fact that's the one area where Milton is well stacked, with five guys experienced behind the plate, including proven veteran Curt Davies and promising junior graduate Nick Mazzorato.

While they have a lack of depth at a few positions right now, the Red Sox have a number of guys who can play more than one spot -- likely leaving Moore to tinker with the lineup a little more than in previous years.

"That's exactly it, I've got to figure out where these guys are going to all go," he said. "I've got some concern about our hitting, but then that's never really been our strong suit. And then again some of these guys who are out right now could be back and we could be stronger than ever."

Tomorrow's season opener is set for 1:30 p.m. against the Mississauga North Tigers.