For sports fans in Magna, this is the best time of year. The signs around town indicate as much.

Weeks before tryouts, banners for the Cyprus baseball team were plastered in the windows of local businesses. A local car wash has invited players to dry cars to earn proceeds for the team. Through the school hallways, a chatter demands a presence at the Pirates' season-opening games. And during the next few weeks, Magna Park will again be packed with parents, students and baseball fans eager to support their favorite local team.

No doubt, the Magna community is serious about its baseball -- and the perennially consistent Pirates have delivered.

"[Our tradition] is something we're proud of. We've been lucky. We've had some good players," coach Bob Fratto said. "But the community supports you regardless."

Of course, winning never hurts.

And during the past decade, the Pirates have done plenty to keep their fans excited. Just last year, they tied for first place in their region and made a run to the 4A semifinals. Aside from a two-year slump following their run to the 2003 4A state title game, the Pirates have paired a wining record with a solid postseason run.

"We've got a big target on our backs because everyone will be thinking we'll be good," said returning pitcher Regis Mears. "Every team will be ready to play us."

But for the first time in years, the potential of this year's team is a question mark. The Pirates lost 12 veterans -- and every starter -- to graduation. Of the remaining freshman- and sophomore-laden 2010 roster, there is not a solid position player in the bunch. As of Sunday, Fratto still didn't know whom to write into his starting lineup for Wednesday's season-opening game against Judge Memorial.

The uncertainty has been nerve-racking.

"It's all a big mystery," Fratto said. "This is something we've never dealt with before. We've been spoiled, I guess. We need to find out which kids are best suited for certain positions."

And quick.

The Pirates are competing in Class 5A for the first time -- a move that hasn't been easy for any of Cyprus' sports teams. The football team went 2-8 -- and 0-6 in Region 2 play. The boys basketball team had a rough go, finishing the season 6-16 and sneaking into the postseason on a No. 4 seed before falling to Lone Peak in the first round. The girls soccer, volleyball and basketball teams all struggled to similar finishes.

But already, the Pirates have been handed a head start. For the first time in recent memory, Fratto was able to conduct tryouts on the renowned, expansive outdoor field at Magna Park, offering him a more comprehensive look at the talent pool.

"Our best player [the park] never graduates," Fratto said. "We usually play pretty well there and like to defend our home turf."

Although this might be the most inexperienced Cyprus team of recent years, the Pirates are not without some veteran power, including Mears, solid hitter Clint Trutzel and speedy baserunner Josh Bennett.

"We don't have any power hitters. We're young and small, but quicker," Mears said. "We're going to have to out-execute everyone. I think we can out-execute anyone."