In just two week's time, the Swift Current WMBL franchise will run out onto the Mitchell Field grass for the first time in 2017, however, they will not be dawning the blue and red colours the city has become so used to seeing them in.

On June 1st, the franchise will play its first game in the Western Major Baseball League since a pro-active off-season of re-branding.

This year, fans of the Swift Current Baseball Club will see their team run onto the field wearing green and orange while representing the name '57's'.

"With anything new there is always a little bit of excitement," said 57's Head Coach Joe Carnahan. "I know the guys that are coming back, they are excited. They have seen pictures, stuff like that and they are excited to get it going. It seems like, just talking with minor ball, they seem pretty excited and pretty happy with the new look. Hopefully, when we get on the field we play well, and if you play well, everything goes good."

On September 2, 2016, the team announced they would be dropping the nickname 'Indians'.

The move was picked up by media all across Saskatchewan, as many sports team at every level continue to decide on potentially problematic names.

Despite all of the attention the name change attracted, Carnahan says their focus remains the same as they prepare for the upcoming season.

"The biggest thing is, is just trying to get good people up here," he said. "Obviously you want them to be good baseball players as well, but it is just the people.

"The people around the park, the people within the organization, the players, the people in the community, that is the biggest thing and why you want to come back and do it each year. It is not necessarily whatever the name is, or that kind of stuff, it's the people in the city."

Looking past the move from 'Indians' to '57's', there is plenty to be excited about for Swift Current fans on the field as well.

Sweeping their way through the playoffs last season, going 9-0 in the post-season, and claiming their first WMBL championship since 2010, Swift Current will be looking to defend their title in 2017.

The 57's have already announced they will have five key members of that championship team returning for the upcoming season.

Pitching ace Bobby St. Pierre is going to be spending his summer in Swift Current, along with 2017 WMBL Rookie of the Year Bodie Cooper, Outfielder Thomas DeBonville, Right-Handed Pitcher Aidan Goodall and First Baseman Kyle MacDonald.

"It was important just to have some good character guys," Carnahan said. "From a leadership standpoint, these are guys that have not only been successful in this league, but they have also been around Swift Current and in our organization."

Along with the veterans, Swift Current has also recruited a number of new players.

Of the 13 new players the 57's have announced, they come with an average size of 6'1" and 191lbs.

Although, they may not have a ton of experience north of the border, Carnahan expects them to find their way in the WMBL.

"A lot of the new guys that we have coming up are from some very successful college programs," he said. "They are going to know what it takes to win, and what it takes to prepare every day to give us the best opportunity to win each night."

Swift Current's first game in green and orange will be their 2017 home-opener and season-opener.

The Moose Jaw Miller Express will visit Mitchell Field on June 1st to kick-off the WMBL Regular Season schedule.